Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. FMC Votes Against Notice of Inquiry Regarding OTI Agents

2. DoD Interim Rule Amends DFARS to Add Taiwan as WTO Procurement Agreement Country

The Department of Defense has issued an interim rule, which effective November 23, 2009 amends the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to add Taiwan as a World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement designated country. Comments are due by January 22, 2010. (FR Pub 11/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27846.pdf)

3. WTO Grants Brazil Right to Impose Countermeasures Against U.S., Sets up Panels on COOL & Poultry

At its meeting on November 19, 2009, the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body officially granted authorization to Brazil to impose countermeasures against the U.S. in the "cotton" case (DS267), and established a single panel to examine complaints by Canada (DS384) and Mexico (DS386) on the U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL), and a panel to examine the U.S. complaint on EC measures on imports of poultry meat (DS389). (News release, dated 11/19/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/dsb_19nov09_e.htm)

4. WTO Members Encouraged to Create Exit Strategies for Temporary Trade Restrictions

WTO Director-General Lamy in his annual report on trade and trade-related developments in 2009, called on members "to devise and announce exit strategies to remove trade restrictions and production subsidies that they have introduced temporarily to counteract the effects of the crisis, and start implementing those strategies as soon as domestic economic recovery takes hold." (Notice, posted 11/20/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htmbkmk1115)

5. FCPA Bribery Charges Dismissed with Prejudice as Statoil ASA Addresses Compliance Failures

The Justice Department states that after three years of addressing past misconduct and serious compliance failures under a deferred prosecution agreement, the charges against Statoil ASA (an international oil company) for violating the anti-bribery and accounting provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act have been dismissed with prejudice. Justice adds that companies that have robust compliance programs risk far less than companies that take their chances on possible FCPA violations. (News release, dated 11/19/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/November/09-crm-1257.html)

6. ICE, CBP, DEA Take Part in International Week of Action on Illegal Pharmaceuticals

Operation Pangea II, an international week of action over November 16-20, 2009, targeted the Internet sale of counterfeit and illicit medicines, resulting in arrests and the seizure of potentially harmful medical products across five continents. International Internet monitoring revealed 751 Web sites engaged in illegal activity, including some offering controlled or prescription-only drugs. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) targeted suspect mail packages in New York, Newark, Miami, Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati and San Francisco, resulting in 724 packages being detained for further examination, with 48 formally seized to date. (News release, dated 11/20/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0911/091120washington.htm)

7. EPA Proposes Rule for 2010 Methyl Bromide Critical Use Exemption

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing uses that qualify for the 2010 methyl bromide critical use exemption, and the amount of methyl bromide that may be produced, imported, or supplied from existing pre-phase-out inventory for those uses in 2010. Comments are due by December 23, 2009. (FR Pub 11/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27822.pdf)

8. DDTC Announces November 27th Termination of ROBB

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced that Remote Online Bulletin Board (ROBB) submission process for export license applications and amendments will be terminated on November 27, 2009. (Notice, posted 11/20/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)

9. December 16th Webinar on Doing Business in Brazil - Financial and Legal Considerations

Export.Gov states that it will hold a webinar on financial and legal considerations of doing business in Brazil. The webinar is meant to help new and experienced exporters gain knowledge of the export financing resources, documentation, and legal considerations needed before selling to Brazil. (Notice, posted 11/23/09, available at https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=0Q13)

10. Fifth U.S.-Mongolia Business Forum to be Held January in Orlando

The U.S. Department of Commerce, in partnership with AG CONNECT Expo 2010 and in conjunction with the Government of Mongolia, will host the Fifth U.S.-Mongolia Business Forum on January 13, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. The Forum will focus on commercial opportunities in Mongolia and give companies a chance to explore potential business prospects. (Notice, posted 11/23/09, available at http://www.export.gov/static/Mongolia%20Forum%20Invitation%20-%20%20NEW_1_40370_eg_main_020804.pdf)

11. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recall

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

(CPSC recall available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelnov09.html)

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:

Manufacturers of Low Acid Canned Foods and Acidified Foods

Surgeon's and Patient Examination Gloves

Fish/Fishery Products from Foreign Processors (Mfrs.) Not in Compliance with Seafood HACCP

Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

Swordfish For Methyl Mercury

13. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

France Science or Political Science - Workshop Explores Societal Concerns: Trade Policy Monitoring, Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies

Korea Citrus Annual: PS&D and Trade Update for MY 2009/10

New Zealand Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual: Annual Report and Statistics

United Kingdom UK Supermarket Chain Profiles: Retail Food Sector

United Kingdom Retail Food Sector: 2009

Chile Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual: Apples, Table Grape and Pear Annual Report

Guatemala Retail Food Sector: Annual

India Lock-Up Report: Oilseeds and Products: Quarterly Lock-up Report - November

Germany-Italy EU-27 Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual: Abundant EU supplies point to lower imports of apples, pears, and table grapes in MY 2009/10

Israel New PPIS Regulations: FAIRS Country Report

Israel Domestic and Regional Water Crisis: Agricultural Situation

Poland EU-27 Dairy and Products Annual: 2009

Czech Republic Law on retail chain stores restricts large retailers: Retail Food Sector

Poland Draft GMO Cultivation Law moves to the Parliament: Biotechnology

Poland GMO Feed Trials End With Safe Results

New Zealand Retail Food Sector: Annual Report

14. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

Agency Information Collection Comments Due

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)