Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Judge Refuses to Halt Clean Trucks Program

2. Port of LA's Clean Truck Program Registry Now Available Online

The Port of Los Angeles reports that the ports of LA and Long Beach's Clean Truck Program Drayage Truck Registry (DTR) is now available online. Required information must be in the DTR before October 1, 2008 or drivers may be denied entry into port terminals. (DTR notice available at http://dtr.cleanairactionplan.org/(S(og2phdayv3up2xrzlycctu55))/Default.aspx)

3. Port of LA CTP Has Enough Trucks to Keep Cargo Moving Through Peak Shipping Season

The Port of LA reports that a steady increase of Clean Truck Program concession applications will ensure that enough trucks will be in service to handle the peak holiday shipping season. (Port of LA press release, dated 09/05/08, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/DOC/CTP%20update%20Sept%20%205FINAL.pdf)

4. Democrats Report that Administration has Fallen Short of 9/11 Recommendations

The House Homeland Security Committee has posted the report prepared by the majority staffs of the House Homeland Security Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee entitled "Wasted Lessons of 9/11: How the Bush Administration Has Ignored the Law and Squandered Its Opportunities to Make our Country Safer," which examines the Administration's performance on the requirements in H.R. 1, the "Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007." According to the report, DHS has made no progress over the past year to implement the mandate to scan 100% of U.S.-bound maritime cargo by July 1, 2012. (Report available, dated 09/08,avaialble at http://hsc.house.gov/SiteDocuments/HR1AnniversaryReport.pdf.)

5. House Judiciary Committee Reports Tobacco Smuggling Bill

On September 9, 2008, the House Judiciary Committee reported H.R. 4081, a bill to prevent tobacco smuggling, and to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-836). (Congressional Record, dated 09/09/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080909).)

6. China's Vice Premier to Attend China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce, Trade

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Vice Premier Wang Qishan will attend the 19th China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade. The meeting will take place in Los Angeles on September 16, 2008. (News release, dated 09/09/08, available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t511839.htm.)

7. Japan-U.S. Investment Initiative Seminar to be Held October 30th

On October 30, 2008, the Japanese and U.S. governments will be hosting the "Japan-U.S. Investment Initiative Seminar" in Shizuoka. The goal of the seminar is to enhance understanding of foreign direct investment in Japan and providing useful information for foreign companies considering business in Japan and Japanese companies considering business partnerships with overseas companies, including information on the business environment in Japan and the U.S. and the experience of foreign companies that have actually invested in Japan. (Press release, dated 09/09/08, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/pdf/080909Seminar.pdf.)

8. CBP Adds Valley Int'l Airport to List of User Fee Airports

CBP issued a final rule, effective September 10, 2008, amending its regulations by revising the list of user fee airports to reflect the recent user fee airport designation for Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas. (Final rule, CBP Dec. 08-39, FR Pub 09/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20990.pdf.)

9. AMS Relaxes Handling, Import Regulations for Certain Potatoes

The Agricultural Marketing Service issued an interim final rule, effective September 11, 2008, relaxing the size requirement prescribed under the Washington potato marketing order. This rule decreases the minimum size required for all fresh market red, yellow fleshed, and white types of potatoes from 1 inch (25.4 mm) to 3&8260;4 inch (19.1 mm) in diameter, if the potatoes otherwise meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade. This rule will also decrease the minimum size requirement from July 1 through September 30 of each year for imported red-skinned, round type potatoes under the import regulations, among other things. Comments must be received by November 10, 2008. (AMS notice, D/N AMS-FV-08-0036; FV08-946-1 IFR, FR Pub 09/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20999.pdf.)

10. Canada Implements Targeted Sanctions Against Zimbabwe

Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs has announced that Canada has put in place targeted sanctions against those in leadership positions in Zimbabwe. The sanctions are being implemented through the Special Economic Measures (Zimbabwe) Regulations. (DFAIT, dated 09/05/08, available at http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=386516&language=E&docnumber=197)

11. EC Blocks Panel in WTO IT Case

The World Trade Organization reports that at the August 29, 2008 Dispute Settlement Body meeting, the EC blocked a panel request in the IT case submitted jointly by the U.S. (WT/DS375), Japan (WT/DS376) and Chinese Taipei (WT/DS377). (WTO, dated 08/29/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/dsb_29aug08_e.htm)

12. State Dept Determines Colombia Meets SFOAA Conditions

The State Department has determined that the Government of Colombia is meeting the conditions described in the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008. (Public Notice 6357, FR Pub 09/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21017.pdf.)

13. State Dept Advisory Committee on Private Int'l Law Study to Meet

The State Department issued a notice announcing that the Private International Law Study will be holding a public meeting on the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Draft Legislative Guide on Secured Transactions and its treatment of security rights in intellectual property. The meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2008 in Washington, DC. (Public Notice 6356, FR Pub 09/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21012.pdf.)

14. Advisory Committee Int'l Postal and Delivery Services to Meet

The State Department issued a notice announcing the third meeting of the Advisory Committee on International Postal and Delivery Services. The meeting is open to the public and is scheduled for October 8, 2008 in Washington, DC. (Public Notice 6346, FR Pub 09/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21013.pdf.)

15. FAS Announces 2009 TRQ Dairy Import License Fees of $150 Each

The Foreign Agricultural Service is announcing a $150 per license fee for the 2009 tariff rate quota calendar year, for each license issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the importation of dairy articles that are subject to TRQs as set forth in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). (FR Pub 09/03/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20133.pdf )

16. FAS Beijing Office Launches U.S. Food Safety Web Site

The Foreign Agricultural Service's Beijing Office of Agricultural Affairs and the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) launched a new U.S. Food Safety Web site in May 2008. The site contains a variety of U.S. and international agricultural standards in both English and Chinese. (FAEA Web site available at http://www.usfoodsafety.cn/)

17. FSIS Posts Updated Meat/Poultry/Egg Inspection Directory

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted an updated "Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory," a listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by FSIS. (FSIS notice available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/MPI_Directory_Establishment_Name.pdf.)

18. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Eligible Foreign Establishments

FSIS posted updated export requirements for the following countries: Taiwan(beef, pork, poultry, duck), Hong Kong(red meat/beef, poultry), Japan(meat, beef, poultry, pork, elk, deer), Japan(egg products), Russia (poultry, pork, beef, horsemeat), Cuba (pork, poultry, beef, sheep, goat), Kazakhstan (poultry), and Mexico(beef, meat, poultry, sheep). In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Canada and Australia certified to export meat, poultry, and egg products to the U.S.

19. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Brazil Livestock and Products: Annual Livestock Reports

Germany Solid Wood Products: Import Regulations for Oak Logs from the U.S.

Germany FAIRS Country Report: Update

India Livestock and Products: Annual

India Cotton and Products: Quarterly Update - September

Mexico Oilseeds and Products: August Oilseeds Update

Mexico Poultry and Products: Annual Report

New Zealand Kiwifruit: Kiwifruit Industry Annual Report

Russian Federation Livestock and Products: Annual Report

Syria Tree Nuts: Annual Report

Thailand FAIRS Country Report: Annual

Thailand Grain and Feed: Weekly Rice Price Update

Venezuela Agricultural Situation: News report

New Zealand Livestock and Products: Beef and Cattle Annual Report

Mexico Grain and Feed: August Grain and Feed Update

Mexico Grain and Feed: Mexico Announces a Tariff Rate Quota on Dry Beans

China Agricultural Situation: Grain and Oilseeds Highlights

Brazil Poultry and Products: Annual Poultry Report

20. Jacksonville Port Authority Announces Importing Seminar

The Jacksonville Port Authority reports that several Northeast Florida organizations facilitating international trade will offer a one-day "Importing Basics" seminar on Thursday, September 18, 2008 in Jacksonville, FL. (Notice, dated 09/04/08, available at http://jaxport.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/learn-how-to-import/.)