The Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced the signing of a procedural agreement with Mexico's National Service of Health, Food Safety, and Agro-Alimentary Quality (SENASICA). The agreement focuses on matters of equivalence, audit procedures, the listing and delisting of eligible establishments for the export of meat, poultry and eggs. (FSIS release dated 04/27/10, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_042710_01/index.asp)

The International Trade Commission has instituted a section 337 patent-based investigation of certain game controllers, pursuant to a complaint (Inv. No. 337-TA-715).

The Department of Agriculture has announced its decision to reverse a 2006 decision by the National Organic Program that had allowed the fortification of organic infant formula with DHA, ARA and other substances, as these substances were viewed as “accessory nutrients." Draft guidance, that will provide for a transition period for organic product reformulation, will be published for comment later in 2010. (AMS No. 079-10, dated 04/27/10, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5084118&dID=130819&wf=false&description=National+Organic+Program+Announces+Re-Interpretation+of+Allowable+Accessory+Nutrients+to+Strengthen+Program+Integrity%2C+Transparency&topNav=Newsroom&leftNav=&rightNav1=&rightNav2=)

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted highlights of USTR Kirk's April 29, 2010 meeting with Russian officials to discuss Russia becoming a member of the WTO. They reviewed unresolved issues such as the operation of state-owned enterprises, protection of intellectual property rights, trade in agricultural products, etc. They also discussed the Customs Union between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. (USTR press release, updated 04/28/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2010/april/readout-meeting-russian-officials)

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued accreditation requirements, effective April 30, 2010, for third party labs to test children’s products¹ for compliance with CPSC regulations relating to:

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a proposed rule that would relieve nearly 3,300 FMC-licensed non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) from the costs and burdens of publishing in tariffs the rates they charge for cargo shipments.

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

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has again delayed its vote on the draft proposed 15 Month rule on testing and labeling and the related draft proposed rule on component testing. The vote, originally scheduled for April 21, and then April 28, 2010, is now scheduled for May 5, 2010.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing the recalls of Graco®-branded drop side cribs and Simplicity full-size cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames.

On April 28, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration sent a letter to companies and a wide range of other key stakeholders detailing its concern over cargo and warehouse thefts of FDA-regulated prescription and over-the counter medicines, medical devices, and infant formula. FDA is seeking to raise awareness among industry about each firm’s responsibility to review and strengthen their security practices. (FDA release dated 04/28/10, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm209911.htm)