U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance Formed to Help Stop Illegal Trade of Wildlife Products
Fish & Wildlife Service / http://www.fws.gov/
WASHINGTON – As part of the effort to stop the illegal trade of wildlife products in the United States, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today praised the formation of the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance that will bring together major companies, foundations, and non-profit organizations to work with the U.S. government in efforts to reduce U.S. demand for illegal elephant ivory, rhino horn and other wildlife products.
The formation of the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance builds on President Obama’s National Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking, put in place in 2014, following his Executive Order on combating wildlife trafficking.
A number of companies have already adopted policies and procedures that align with the goals of the Alliance. Companies such as eBay, Facebook and Google have been helping with initial Alliance activities.
“We are committed to a multi-pronged fight against wildlife trafficking that includes working to reduce demand and sales of illegally traded ivory and other wildlife products right here at home,” said Secretary Jewell, who serves as co-chair of the President’s Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking. “To put an end to this scourge of killing and trafficking rare and iconic wildlife, we need the help of companies and others outside the government. Already, many companies are leading by example by raising public awareness and implementing best practices to support sustainable supply chains that avoid contributions to illegal wildlife trade. The creation of this Alliance will provide invaluable assistance in our fight. There is no question that how we deal with wildlife trafficking activities here in the United States will have an enormous influence on our global success in dealing with the crisis.”
Under the leadership of David J. Hayes, the Alliance brings together all elements of civil society, including interested companies, foundations, and non-profit organizations to work with the U.S. government to accomplish the goals of:
- Raising public awareness of the scope of the wildlife trafficking crisis, including the devastating impact of poaching and illegal trade on elephants, rhinos, tigers and other irreplaceable species, and the traffickers’ links to corruption, organized crime and terrorist organizations;
- Reducing consumer demand for illegally acquired wildlife and wildlife products by raising public awareness; and
- Mobilizing companies to adopt best practices to ensure that their merchandise does not contain parts or products from illegal wildlife and that their goods and services are not being utilized by wildlife traffickers.
Leaders at luxury apparel and accessory companies such as Tiffany’s and Berkshire Hathaway (owners of Ben Bridge Jewelers and the Richline Group) have also begun discussions with the Alliance. Nonprofit conservation, wildlife education and advocacy organizations also support the Alliance and are looking forward to working alongside fellow NGO’s, companies and the federal government, including National Geographic, the World Wildlife Fund, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the African Wildlife Foundation, WildAid, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Wildlife Conservation Network, The Nature Conservancy-North America, the Humane Society of the United States, Conservation International, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, TRAFFIC and RESOLVE. Several leading foundations, including Vulcan, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and the Wyss Foundation also have been funding important anti-trafficking efforts in the U.S. and globally and are supporting the Alliance.
The White House expects to host a convening of Alliance leaders this fall in an effort to raise awareness, change behavior, and reduce demand for illegally traded wildlife.
An estimated 100,000 elephants were killed for their ivory between 2010 and 2012, an average of approximately one every 15 minutes. Federal law enforcement investigations have demonstrated that wildlife traffickers are exploiting current regulations that allow legal trade in ivory to serve as cover for trade in illegal ivory. In one particularly high-profile investigation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) special agents seized more than one ton of elephant ivory – one of the largest ivory seizures in U.S. history – from a Philadelphia art store. Much of the seized ivory, although disguised to look old, had been newly acquired from elephants poached in central Africa. Earlier this year, the owner of a seemingly legitimate Florida fine art auction house pleaded guilty to a wildlife trafficking and smuggling conspiracy involving objects made from elephant ivory, rhino horn and coral.
To close off this avenue to traffickers, President Obama recently announced that the FWS is proposing new regulations that would prohibit most interstate commerce in African elephant ivory and further restrict commercial ivory exports. This action, combined with others FWS has already taken, will result in a near total ban on the domestic commercial trade of African elephant ivory.
Last month, Secretary Jewell traveled to China and Vietnam to meet with senior government officials in both countries to build international cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking. Secretary Jewell will be traveling to Africa in the coming months to continue the dialogue with stakeholders about how to further strengthen global efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.
CBP Cincinnati Seizes 71 Shipments of Kratom Powder
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-08-03-000000/cbp-cincinnati-seizes-71-shipments-kratom-powder
CINCINNATI— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at a Cincinnati express consignment facility recently seized more than 5,400 pounds of kratom powder at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The powder was contained within 71 shipments imported over the past two months.
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a member of the coffee family and is native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain chemical compounds that can stimulate brain receptors and act as a painkiller or sedative in high concentrations.
Advocates for kratom claim the plant is useful in treating morphine and heroin addiction, and is an appealing alternative to pharmaceutical painkillers. According to the FDA, kratom and kratom-containing dietary supplements or ingredients are considered adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, because they contain a new dietary ingredient that lacks adequate information to determine any associated health risks. Additionally, certain kratom products may be considered unapproved and misbranded drugs under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, based upon their intended uses.
The FDA emphasizes the potential public health hazards associated with the consumption of kratom which can lead to a number of health problems including respiratory depression, nervousness, agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, hallucinations, delusions, loss of libido, tremors, skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, constipation and severe withdrawal signs and symptoms.
Law enforcement officials have been concerned for some time about kratom’s potential for abuse. In September 2014, at the request of the FDA, U.S. Marshals seized more than 25,000 pounds of raw kratom from a facility in southern California. Later that year, the FDA requested Cincinnati CBP Officers to seize more than 19,000 pounds destined to a single importer.
“Kratom poses a risk to public health and has the potential for abuse, and the FDA supports the detention of kratom shipments to determine their intended purpose,” said Melinda Plaisier, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “We have seen an increased number of dietary supplement shipments containing kratom intended for human consumption. Our responsibility is to safeguard the public from substances that are known significant public health hazards, and we will take enforcement actions against products that are promoted for unapproved uses.”
Kratom is among the most commonly abused controlled substances in Thailand, and has been illegal there since 1943. It is illegal in a number of Asian and South Pacific countries, some European countries, and certain states. Though it is not scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in the United States, it is on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) list of Drugs and Chemicals of Concern.
“This is a classic example of a relatively new trend ahead of certain laws, and the substance has yet to be identified as a scheduled narcotic,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “The CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists at the Cincinnati port of entry have received national recognition for their efficiency in using all available resources to intercept potentially illegal cargo. Most international shipments are legitimate. We excel at identifying suspect violations, such as kratom imported for illegitimate purposes, with minimal impact on local stakeholder operations and legitimate trade.”
CBP conducts operations at ports of entry throughout the United States, and regularly screens arriving international passengers and cargo for narcotics, weapons, and other restricted or prohibited products. CBP strives to serve as the premier law enforcement agency enhancing the Nation’s safety, security, and prosperity through collaboration, innovation, and integration.
CBP Officers in Tampa Seize 860 Counterfeit Ray-Ban Sunglasses
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-07-31-000000/cbp-officers-tampa-seize-860-counterfeit-ray-ban
TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Tampa seized over 860 counterfeit Ray-Ban sunglasses arriving in a shipment from China on July 13. Had the goods been genuine, the designer handbags would have an estimated Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $123,455.
CBP’s highly trained officers successfully targeted and intercepted the U.S.-bound air cargo. The description for the freight was also concealed under a different commodity.
Initially, CBP officers suspected the sunglasses to be counterfeit since they did not appear to be of the quality consistent with the products normally manufactured by the trademark holder. CBP import specialists examined samples and determined the items to be counterfeit.
This high value seizure is one of many successes marking CBP’s longstanding commitment to combating importation of illicit merchandise bearing counterfeit trademarks in Tampa.
Recent interdictions included seizures from Intellectual Property violations of electronics, watches/jewelry, shirts, handbags and many other products.
“Intellectual property rights are invaluable to innovation, investment and economic development,” said Acting Tampa Area Port Director Paula Rivera. “Our CBP officers and import specialists are committed to preventing counterfeit goods from entering the commerce of the United States.”
CBP protects businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement program. CBP targets and seizes imports of counterfeit and pirated goods, and enforces exclusion orders on patent-infringing and other IPR violative goods. Detailed information about recording IPR and reporting intellectual property infringement to CBP can be found on the CBP website.
On a typical day in Fiscal Year 2014, CBP officers around the country seized counterfeit goods totaling more than $3.4 million. In Fiscal Year 2014, CBP made more than 23,000 seizures of counterfeit goods worth an estimated $1.2 billion.
CBP Seizes 10,000 Counterfeit Designer Handbags at Miami Seaport
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-07-31-000000/cbp-seizes-10000-counterfeit-designer-handbags-miami
MIAMI — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Miami seaport seized 10,788 high-fashion counterfeit Gucci and Coach handbags arriving in a shipment from China on July 15. Had the goods been genuine, the designer handbags would have an estimated Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $4,904,160.
CBP officers initially suspected the handbags to be counterfeit since they did not appear to be of the quality consistent with the products normally authorized and manufactured by the trademark holders. CBP import specialists examined samples and confirmed the items to be counterfeit.
“Our CBP officers consistently demonstrate their exceptional skills at identifying counterfeit goods and work well with CBP import specialists to protect consumers and ensure these products do not enter the commerce of the United States,” said Miami Seaport Port Director Diane Sabatino.
China and Hong Kong were the top source countries for counterfeit goods seized by CBP in Fiscal Year 2014, based on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) seizures by both CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
On a typical day, CBP officers around the country seized counterfeit goods totaling more than $3.4 million. In Fiscal Year 2014, CBP made more than 23,000 seizures of counterfeit goods worth an estimated $1.2 billion.
CBP and HSI protect businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive IPR enforcement program. CBP targets and seizes imports of counterfeit and pirated goods, and enforces exclusion orders on patent-infringing and other IPR violative goods.
Precious Cargo Recalls Infant One-Piece Garments Due to Choking Hazard
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Precious-Cargo-Recalls-Infant-One-Piece-Garments/#remedy
Recall Details
Units: About 479,000
Description: This recall involves Precious Cargo® infant one-piece garments with a three snap bottom closure. The garments are 100 percent cotton and were sold in sizes 6M, 12M and 18M in the following solid colors: athletic heather, aquatic blue, candy pink, clover green, jet black, lime, navy, purple, red, royal, sangria, white and yellow. “Precious Cargo” and an elephant are printed on a blue tag sewn into the neck area. Style number CAR40 is printed on a white label sewn into the left inside seam. The one-pieces were sold as promtional products with a corporate or community organization logo on the front.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled garments and contact Precious Cargo to return them for a full refund.
Sold at: Promotional product distributors, screen printers, embroiderers and gift shops from July 2014 through July 2015 for about $4.
USITC Launches Investigation on the Impact on the U.S. Economy of All Trade Agreements Implemented Under Trade Authorities Since 1984
US International Trade Commission / http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2015/er0804ll480.htm
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has initiated an investigation of the economic impact on the United States of all trade agreements with respect to which Congress has enacted an implementing bill under trade authorities procedures since January 1, 1984.
The investigation, Economic Impact of Trade Agreements Implemented Under Trade Authorities Procedures, 2016 Report, is required by section 105(f)(2) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015.
As required by the statute, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will submit its report to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance by June 29, 2016. The report is the first of two required by the statute; the Commission will submit a second report in five years.
The Commission’s report will cover the Uruguay Round Agreements, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA -- Canada, Mexico), and U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs) with Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua), Israel, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, Oman, Panama, Peru, and Singapore.
The USITC seeks input for this report from all interested parties. The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation on November 17, 2015. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on November 2, 2015, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date, but no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 5, 2016. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of this investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated August 4, 2015, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (
www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.