Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Wall Street Journal reports that DNA testing has confirmed that the Washington state cow infected with mad-cow disease came from Canada, a development that allows the U.S. beef industry to shift blame but probably will not appease many countries enough to lift their bans on U.S. beef imports anytime soon. (WSJ dated 01/07/04, www.wsj.com.)
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1. DNA Testing Proves Canadian Mad-Cow Link
2. $4 Million Contract Will Supply CBP With FAST Transponders, Etc.
The January 2004 issue of American Shipper reports that TransCore will supply U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) more than 170,000 radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to identify trucks enrolled in the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) trade program. According to the article, under a $4 million contract to support FAST, TransCore will also install equipment to read the truck signals at inspection booths for more than 99 FAST lanes at 22 border crossings. (American Shipper dated January 2004, www.americanshipper.com.)
3. CBP Accredits SEA, Ltd. as Commercial Laboratory to Analyze Paraffin Wax in Candles
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice announcing its determination that SEA, Ltd. of Columbus, OH meets all the requirements for accreditation as a commercial laboratory to analyze paraffin wax in candles under HTS Chapter 34. See CBP's notice for complete details. (CBP Decision 03-36, FR Pub 12/24/03, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-31759.pdf)
4. EPA Announces Availability of Final Document for U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a notice which announces the availability of the "Border 2012: U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program" Framework Document. The mission of this program is to protect public health and the environment in the U.S.-Mexico border region, in a manner consistent with the principles of sustainable development. (FR Pub 12/16/03, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-31006.pdf)
5. State Dept Finds No Significant Impact in Constructing Pipeline Across U.S.-Mexico Border
The State Department has issued a finding of no significant impact and summary environmental assessment in connection with a proposed action to issue a Presidential Permit to Valero Logistics Operations LP to construct, connect, operate, and maintain a 85/8 inch outer diameter pipeline to convey liquid petroleum gas across the border from Webb County, TX to Mexico. (Public Notice 4576, FR Pub 12/30/03, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-32051.pdf)
6. U.S. Postal Service Offers Electronic Postmark Service for Electronic Data
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) offers an electronic postmark which it states protects the integrity of electronic data through the use of auditable time stamps, digital signatures, and hash codes. According to USPS, through the electronic postmark, any third-party can verify the authenticity of electronic content. USPS also notes that the electronic postmark is designed to deter and detect any fraudulent tampering or altering of electronic data. (USPS electronic postmark information available at http://www.usps.com/electronicpostmark/welcome.htm)