Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. NAFTA Surface Transportation Trade Dropped 31.5% in June from Last Year

2. CBSA Posts Part II of Application for Customs Self Assessment Program

Canada Border Services Agency has posted Part II of its Customs Self Assessment (CSA) importer application. CSA offers approved importers the benefits of a streamlined accounting and payment process for all of their imported goods and a streamlined clearance option for CSA eligible goods when an approved carrier and registered driver are involved. (Part I of the application involves a risk assessment of the importer's company against established criteria. Part II requires documentation of the business processes and audit trails that will support CSA program requirements.) (CSA, posted 08/31/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e655-eng.pdf)

3. Long Beach Seeks Input on Rail Facility Proposal

The Port of Long Beach will begin public hearings on a proposal that would help increase the use of "on-dock" trains and reduce local truck trips near the Port. The Port will host the first of two public hearings at 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at Long Beach City Hall, to gather comments and suggestions prior to an environmental review of the proposed "On-Dock Rail Support Facility." The second hearing will be September 16 at the Port. (Notice, posted 08/31/09, available at http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=596&targetid=1)

4. White House Issues H1N1 Nat'l Preparedness and Response Overview

The White House has posted its 2009 H1N1 National Preparedness and Response Overview. In preparing for a fall wave of H1N1 flu, the Administration has implemented a National Framework for 2009 H1N1 preparations and response, including surveillance and mitigation. (Press release, dated 09/01/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/2009-H1N1-National-Preparedness-and-Response-Overview/.)

5. FDA Issues Q&A Guidance for Industry on Labeling of Dietary Supplements, OTC Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding the Labeling of Dietary Supplements by manufacturers, packers, and distributors, as required by the Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act. A similar guidance for non-prescription (over-the-counter) human drugs is available here. (D/N FDA-2007-D-0209 (formerly D/N 2007D-0491), FR Pub 09/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21094.pdf)

6. ECHA Seeks Comments on 15 Substances of Very High Concern

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published on its website proposals to identify chemicals as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Interested parties are welcome to comment on these 15 substances by October 15, 2009. The comments will be taken into account when deciding whether the substances will be added to the Candidate List from which substances are selected for "authorization" under the EU REACH program. (Press Release, dated 09/01/09, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/pr_09_12_second_consultation_svhc_identification_20090901.pdf)

7. Genetically Engineered Papaya No Longer Considered a Regulated Article

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is advising the public that a papaya line genetically engineered for resistance to the papaya ringspot virus is no longer considered a regulated article under its regulations governing the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms. (D/N APHIS-2008-0054, FR Pub 09/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21092.pdf)

8. 3rd Annual Americas Competitiveness Forum Set for Late September 2009

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Locke will participate in the third annual Americas Competitiveness Forum on September 27-29, 2009, in Santiago, Chile. The ACF brings together representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss ways to spark innovation, create jobs, and expand trade among the countries of the hemisphere. The U.S. hosted the first two ACFs in Atlanta in 2007 and 2008. (Press Release, dated 08/31/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008356)

9. Vietnam Retail Carrier Bags - Preliminary CV Determination

The International Trade Administration has posted a fact sheet on its preliminary countervailing duty determination for polyethylene retail carrier bags from Vietnam. No preliminary rate exceeds 5%. Polyethylene retail carrier bags are the first CV investigation for this country. (Fact sheet, posted 08/31/09, available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-vietnam-prcb-cvd-prelim-083109.pdf)

10. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelaug09.html)

11. CBP Accredits/Approves Firms as Commercial Gauger and/or Laboratory

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued notices stating that it has accredited and approved the following companies as a commercial gauger and/or laboratory for petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13, on the effective dates listed (see individual notice for dates of next triennial inspections):

(CBP notices, FR Pub 09/01/09, hyperlinked to date)

12. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Drugs from Firms Which Have Not Met Drug GMPs

13. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

A government agency is seeking comments on the following information collection for which it has requested or intends to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notice for specific details):

Agency Information Collection Comments Due

14. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Canada Retail Food Sector Report 2009: Retail Food Sector

Turkey Lock-Up Report: Cotton Update

Japan proposes altering maximum residue limit for 10 substances: FAIRS Subject Report

Austria Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

Italy Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

Germany Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

Agricultural Situation Weekly Hongbao: Agricultural Situation

Australia U.S. Distillers Grains Promoted At Australian Grains Conference: Grain and Feed

Germany Research Project on Screening Method for Biotech Events Aim for Cheaper, Faster Results: Biotechnology

India Lock-Up Report: August 2009

Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed

Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed