The International Trade Administration has issued a press release on the new agenda for the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue which includes: innovation/green technology, trade facilitation/business development, intellectual property cooperation, standards and metrology, and services and small- and medium-sized enterprises. (Press release, dated 05/04/10, available at http://www.trade.gov/press/press-releases/2010/us-brazil-commercial-dialogue-deepens-trade-relations-050410.asp)

The Bureau of Industry and Security is renewing for 180 days the order temporarily denying export privileges of respondents Orion Air, S.L. and Syrian Pearl Airlines for Orion's reexport of a BAE 146-300 aircraft to Syria, and specifically to Syrian Pearl Airlines, without the required government authorization. (BIS order, FR Pub 05/07/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-10812.pdf)

The Justice Department has issued a press release announcing it has intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit¹ against Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), Panalpina Inc. and others which alleges that employees of two freight forwarders doing business with the companies provided unlawful kickbacks to KBR transportation department employees.

The Department of Energy has issued a notice requesting comments on existing energy efficiency enforcement regulations for certain consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment covered under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975. These regulations provide for manufacturer submission of compliance statements and certification reports to DOE, maintenance of compliance records by manufacturers, and the availability of enforcement actions for improper certification or upon a determination of noncompliance.

Forty-six U.S. business executives will join Commerce Secretary Locke in China and Indonesia May 15-25 on the first cabinet-level trade mission of the Obama administration. Locke will lead American companies on this clean energy mission to advance their export opportunities and support American jobs. (Release, dated 05/04/10, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_009210)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued an emergency declaration stating that motor carriers and drivers transporting (i) specialized equipment to seal the ruptured well head and to effect other immediate and necessary repairs of the oil well and/or adjacent pipelines, (ii) booms, skimmers, chemical dispersants, flammable liquids and other oil containment equipment, or (iii) other equipment, supplies and materials used to provide direct assistance for emergency relief efforts related to the above oil spill are exempt from 49 CFR Parts 390-399 from 2:00 p.m. EDT, April 30, 2010, until 11:59 p.m. EDT, May 14, 2010. (Declaration, dated 04/30/10, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/Oil-Spill-Emergency-Declaration.aspx)

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries:

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has ruled that the use of hexane (mixed isomers), n-hexane, cyclohexane, heptane, potassium hydroxide, distilled lime oil (Citrus aurantifolia), lemon oil (Citrus limonium), and cornmint oil (Mentha arvensis and Mentha canadensis) are authorized as substitute denaturants. (TTB ruling 2010-3, dated 04/27/10, available at http://www.ttb.gov/rulings/2010-3rule.pdf)

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN report:

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