Commerce Finds Dumping of Imports of Xanthan Gum from Austria and the People’s Republic of China (China)
International Trade Adminstration / www.ita.gov
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NOTICE TO THE WILDLIFE IMPORT/EXPORT COMMUNITY
Competent Management and Scientific Authorities for CITES Documents
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / http://www.fws.gov/le/publicbulletin/05-28-2013-CITES-Competent-Authorities.pdf
Background: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) requires each CITES Party country to designate a Management Authority and a Scientific Authority for, among other things, issuance of CITES documents. The treaty also requires each non-Party country to have competent authorities that can issue comparable CITES documentation. U.S. CITES regulations that went into effect on September 24, 2007 require the Party or non-Party issuing CITES documents to have designated a Management Authority and a Scientific Authority and communicated such designations to the CITES Secretariat. Such authorities must be competent to make the required legal and biological findings in order to issue valid CITES documents.
As of May 28, 2013 the following countries had not provided information to the CITES Secretariat on their designated Management Authority and/or Scientific Authority:
Anguilla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Holy See, Lebanon, Nauru, Niue, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan and Tuvalu.
Action: The United States will not allow the import of CITES-listed specimens from countries that have not designated a competent Management Authority and Scientific Authority and communicated such designations to the CITES Secretariat. Any such shipments will be subject to seizure and forfeiture because of invalid CITES documents. The trade can check for updated information on these designations at: CITES National Contacts.
FTC Warns Consumers: Charity Scams Often Follow Disasters
Federal Trade Commission / http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/05/regreform.shtm
In the wake of the devastating Tornado that hit suburban Oklahoma City on Monday, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, reminds consumers that scams often follow disasters. If you’re asked to make a charitable donation to help people in disaster-affected areas, before you give, be sure your donations are going to a reputable organization that will use the money as promised.
Unfortunately, legitimate charities face competition from scammers who either collect for a charity that doesn’t exist or aren't honest about how their “charity” will use the money you give. Like legitimate charities, they might appeal for donations in person, by phone or mail, by e-mail, on websites, or on social networking sites. For more on the questions to ask and for a list of groups that can help you research a charity, go to Charity Scams.
If you’re asked to make a charitable donation to support victims of the recent tornado, remember:
- Donate to charities you know and trust. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight in connection with current events, like a natural disaster.
- Ask if a caller is a paid fundraiser, who they work for, and what percentage of your donation goes to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.
- Don’t give out personal or financial information — including your credit card or bank account number — unless you know the charity is reputable.
- Never send cash: you can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation, and you won’t have a record for tax purposes.
- Check out the charity with the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar.
- Find out if the charity or fundraiser must be registered in your state by contacting the National Association of State Charity Officials.
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
Overview of Textiles: A Priority Trade Issue (PTI)
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/priority_trade/textiles/textiles_pti.xmll
(01/03/11) The textile industry represents more than $94 billion in annual imports and about 47% of all duties collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). There are approximately 68,000 importers of textile products. The textile industry is a key component of the U.S. manufacturing base. With over 600,000 workers, the overall textile sector is one of the largest manufacturing employers in the United States.
CBP facilitates the legitimate importation of textiles and apparel, while combating the rising number of textile imports that are undervalued, misclassified, or illegally transshipped or entered. The enforcement of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and legislative mandates continues to make textiles a politically sensitive industry. The average duty rate for textiles is 16% and more than $17 billion of entered textiles and wearing apparel claim preferential tariff treatment, placing textiles and apparel at a high risk for non-compliance.
In fiscal year 2011, CBP seized over $14 million worth of textiles for Quota/Visa and Intellectual Property Rights violations. In addition, CBP issued 48 penalty actions valued at $27 million. More than 10,000 physical exams were performed, over 1,300 textile samples were examined by the laboratories, and 36 audits were initiated.
On-Site Verification
CBP utilizes Textile Production Verification teams (TPVTs) to conduct on-site verification of foreign textile and wearing apparel manufacturers. These teams review and verify production capability and compliance with the terms of FTAs and trade preference programs. The TPVT visits help deter circumvention of the preference program requirements, as well as educate foreign governments and manufacturers.
In 2011, CBP visited 165 factories in 9 countries. 27% of the reviews showed a violation of the trade preference program claimed on the entry and 22% showed a discrepancy related to illegal transshipment.
Areas of Risk
In addition to non-compliance with trade preference programs, CBP is also combating the undervaluation of textile and wearing apparel by entities with no legal right to make entry. Goods are being imported under false identities and addresses, hindering CBP’s efforts to collect additional duties or penalties.
Another area of risk is the misclassification of wearing apparel, often to circumvent high rates of duty. In 2011, 48% of textiles sampled by the laboratories were found to be misclassified.
CBP is also looking closely at the illegal transshipment of goods through the United States into Mexico. These goods, falsely claiming U.S. origin, are exported to Mexico under false NAFTA claims. The exports can range from completed apparel that is using a U.S. origin claim to circumvent Mexico’s dumping duties against China, to fabric. Subsequently, the fabric exports are used in production of apparel imported back to the United States, under false NAFTA claims.
FDA Announces Import of Injectable Nutrition Drugs
Food & Drug Administration /
www.fda.gov
Action addresses shortages of drugs needed to treat premature infants, patients unable to eat or drink by mouth
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that injectable drugs used in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in critical shortage will be imported into the United States and available to patients this week.
TPN is an intravenous food solution containing several drugs that have been in short supply, including trace elements, potassium phosphate, and sodium phosphate. Hospitals nationwide rely on TPN, which is primarily used to treat premature infants who are unable to eat or drink by mouth or who are experiencing other deficiencies. Cancer patients and those who have had gastrointestinal surgeries who are also unable to eat or drink by mouth have been affected by these shortages.
"While we have made progress on the critical issue of drug shortages, we remain extremely concerned about all current and potential drug shortages, and we are vigilant in our efforts so patients have access to the medicines they need, when they need them,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. "The FDA is doing all it can, using every tool we have to resolve and prevent drug shortages."
The FDA is exercising regulatory discretion for Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC, based in Lake Zurich, Ill., to import trace elements and phosphate injection from its Norway plant so the drugs can reach Americans in need.
The shortages are largely the result of a decision by American Regent/Luitpold, a large manufacturer of TPN products, to temporarily shut down at the end of 2012. The FDA worked with American Regent in an effort to avoid a shutdown. The company, however, ultimately decided that it had to cease operations temporarily in order to address quality issues that included particulate matter in its injectable products. The FDA continues to work with the company to prioritize the most critical drugs in shortage as it restarts production, and on the quality issues, to protect patient health.
Upon learning of American Regent’s decision to temporarily shut down, the FDA looked for ways to increase supply and ultimately sought foreign companies willing and able to help the United States resolve these shortages. When the FDA looks for a foreign source to bolster supply in the U.S., the agency evaluates the foreign drug to ensure that it is of adequate quality and does not pose undue risks for U.S. patients.
“TPN component shortages have been a high priority for the agency. Since the onset of these shortages, the FDA has been very concerned about the dwindling supply of injectable nutrition products and the effect this is having on children’s hospitals treating vulnerable patients,” said Valerie Jensen, R.Ph., associate director of the drug shortages program in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “We believe the import of these injectable nutrition drugs is going to meet current supply needs over the coming weeks.”
The FDA’s exercise of enforcement discretion for these TPN components is temporary, and applied to address this critical shortage. While the FDA cannot force a manufacturer to make a product, the agency will continue to provide expedited regulatory review and advice to manufacturers of TPN components and other drugs most in need.
Other manufacturers of TPN components, including Hospira, Inc. of Lake Forest, Ill., are also working to increase supplies of these critical drugs.
Since 2010, the FDA has used its regulatory discretion for the importation of 14 drugs. With the addition of these injectable nutrition drugs, the total will be at 17.
For more information:
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
Port Authority Continues Aggressive Efforts to Rebuild Facilities Following Superstorm Sandy and to Prepare for Upcoming Hurricane Season
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey / http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/press-item.cfm?headLine_id=1794
(May 29, 2013)
Today’s Board action will provide additional critical investments to enhance storm mitigation and recovery
The Port Authority Board of Commissioners today moved to continue the agency’s aggressive efforts to rebuild its facilities and to install additional storm preparedness measures by approving critical investments to safeguard the World Trade Center construction site, PATH rail system, and other facilities during the upcoming hurricane season that begins next month.
The Board’s approval of $59 million for enhanced storm mitigation and recovery measures is part of the ongoing efforts by the Port Authority to increase storm mitigation at all of its facilities, and to apply the lessons learned from Superstorm Sandy. The action will allow the agency to continue with its ongoing repair efforts necessitated by Superstorm Sandy, as well as implement improved measures to prevent damage from future storms, including the use of metal panels at PATH stations, temporary concrete barriers and water-filled Jersey barriers to protect doorways in buildings and the installation of permanent and mobile pumps. At LaGuardia Airport, for example, a large generator will be installed at the pump house to ensure that water can be quickly pumped off the airfield. In addition, the agency continues to evaluate other long-term mitigation measures.
The funding builds on the February Board authorization of $210 million to cover Sandy recovery and clean-up across the agency. In addition to today’s Board authorization of $59 million for mitigation measures, there also has been $181 million in additional subsequent World Trade Center recovery authorizations. The cumulative authorization across the agency is $450 million in Sandy related actions.
Superstorm Sandy resulted in $2 billion in damages to Port Authority facilities, including at the agency’s seaports, tunnels, bridges and airports. Much of the PATH system witnessed unprecedented flooding that decimated critical signal and switch systems. At the World Trade Center site, floodwaters destroyed much of the underground electrical and mechanical systems. The seaports suffered damaged electrical systems and cargo-handling equipment and Port Authority crews needed to pump thousands of gallons of water out of the Holland Tunnel before operations could resume.
“Today’s action by the Board allows the Port Authority to continue to repair the $2 billion in damage to its facilities inflicted by Superstorm Sandy,” said Port Authority Chairman David Samson. “In addition to these repairs, we will continue to make the investments necessary to enhance our storm preparedness in advance of the upcoming hurricane season as safeguarding the agency’s infrastructure and the travelling public that uses it remains our top priority.”
“Superstorm Sandy devastated this region and resulted in unprecedented damage to key Port Authority assets, including the PATH rail system,” said Vice Chairman Scott Rechler. “Investing wisely today will enable us to better protect our facilities from the impact of future storms, keep our millions of customers moving, and help maintain the region’s economic vitality.”
In the aftermath of the storm, the agency sustained historic damage to all of its facilities, including 100 million gallons of water that flooded Delta’s Shuttle Ramps at LaGuardia Airport, the destruction of LaGuardia’s Instrument Landing System Pier and PATH’s Caisson 3 signal room, one of the key electrical control systems that helps run the mass transit system. That infrastructure has since been replaced.
The Port Authority also has completed a detailed damage assessment of its facilities with FEMA and the Federal Transit Administration, and has been meticulously repairing its infrastructure necessary for safe operations.
Of the more than $59 million that the Board approved today, $21 million will go to PATH for the installation of pumps, watertight doors, flood barriers and other crucial equipment to protect the system from future flooding and enable a more speedy recovery. The agency will implement these measures over the next six months with a focus on implementing immediate steps for the coming hurricane season.
Another $5.5 million approved by the Board is for enhanced protections at the WTC construction site in case of severe weather that could trigger flooding. Preventive measures will include water intrusion barriers and raising key electrical equipment to higher floors where practical. The recovery measures will include additional mechanical pumps and emergency generators on-site to speed up deployment.
The Board also approved $32 million to cover preventative measures at other Port Authority facilities, including the seaports, airports, tunnels and bridges.
Repair and recovery estimates from the storm are upwards of $2 billion dollars. After insurance, self-insurance, and federal funding, the Port Authority anticipates recovering the overwhelming majority of the cost with little financial impact on the agency. To date, the agency has been awarded $1.36 billion from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), including $870 million that the FTA announced just last week. The FTA money is for recovery as well as mitigation expenses.
Overall preparations by the Port Authority for future storms will include moving electrical and mechanical equipment to higher ground where practical, acquiring spare pumps and generators to help minimize flooding and restore services faster, and the use of water resistant materials to help prevent leaks. Additionally, flood protection barriers or perimeter walls will be installed where feasible to further help reduce the threat of water infiltration.
Canada Further Tightens Sanctions on Iran
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada / http://www.international.gc.ca/wet30-1/aff/news-communiques/2013/05/29b.aspx?lang=eng
May 29, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
“Canada’s grave and sincere concern over Iran’s nuclear program again compels us to act decisively.
“In round after round of talks with both the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] and the P5+1 [the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany], Iran has failed to engage meaningfully while the risk posed by its enrichment activities only increases.
“The absence of progress with both the P5+1 and the IAEA leads Canada to ban, effective immediately, all imports to and exports from Iran. We are also adding a further 30 individuals and 82 entities to Canada’s list of designated persons under the Special Economic Measures Act.
“Canada, like many of our closest allies, is making every possible effort to halt Iran’s reckless pursuit of their nuclear-weapons capabilities. The path of nuclear non-compliance will only bring further isolation for Ayatollah Khameini’s clerical, military dictatorship. We will continue to look for ways to reduce the negative impacts on the people of Iran, including humanitarian exemptions.”
Canada continues to support the P5+1 process. The group has worked patiently with Iran, in good faith, toward a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the nuclear question. To date, however, the regime has responded only with escalation and provocation, false promises and empty gestures. This was most recently the case following talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The individuals and entities being listed today are believed to be engaged in activities that directly or indirectly facilitate, support, provide funding for or could contribute to Iran’s proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities, or are associates of, or are owned and controlled by, or acting on behalf of, such persons.
Backgrounder - Additional Sanctions on Iran
In addition to imposing a ban on all imports to and exports from Iran, effective immediately, the individuals and entities announced today will be subject to an assets freeze and a prohibition on economic dealings. With these new measures, the total number of designated persons rises to 78 individuals and 508 entities.
Canada’s new sanctions include exemptions to ensure that the rich people-to-people connections between Canada and Iran continue to grow, and that ties of family and friendship are not broken by the regime’s increasing isolation.
Canada’s new sanctions include exemptions for technologies that protect Iranians online and help them break through the regime’s curtain of propaganda.
Canada’s sanctions exempt food, medicine, medical equipment, and humanitarian goods to ensure that—if the regime decides to invest in the basic needs of the Iranian people—international obstacles are reduced.