Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Secure Freight Initiative Experiencing System Reliability Problems, Etc.

2. Census Final Rule on AES Export Filing Expected to be Similar to Proposal

The Journal of Commerce reports that U.S. Census Bureau officials expect their final rule revamping Census' export regulations to be much like the proposed rule of February 2005, despite the conflict between Census and U.S. Customs and Border Protection over exchanging trade data with foreign governments. (JoC, dated 02/11/08, www.joc.com)

3. Developing Countries Grew More Genetically Engineered Crops in 2007

The New York Times reports that for the first time, in 2007, the number of developing countries growing genetically engineered crops outnumbered the number of developed countries growing such crops. (New York Times, dated 02/14/08, available at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/business/worldbusiness/14biotech.html?ex=1360731600&en=f6232539ea945c45&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)

4. March CONECT Trade and Transportation Conference in Newport, RI

The Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) will be holding its 12th annual Northeast Trade and Transportation Conference in Newport, Rhode Island on March 26 - 28, 2008. Guest speakers include Daniel Baldwin, Assistant Commissioner, CBP, Office of International Trade; Richard DiNucci, Director, Security Filing, Secure Freight Initiative Office, CBP; among others. The honoree for the CONECT Person of the Year Award will be Art Litman, recently retired, Vice President Regulatory Affairs, Fedex. CONECT conference and other information available at www.conect.org.

5. USTR Announces U.S. Appeal of WTO Panel Finding in Cotton Dispute

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a statement announcing that the U.S. has filed an appeal of a World Trade Organization compliance panel which found that certain changes made by the U.S. to its cotton programs were insufficient to bring the challenged measures - certain support payments under the 2002 farm bill and export credit guarantees - into conformity with U.S. WTO obligations. (USTR statement, dated 02/13/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/February/asset_upload_file685_14463.pdf)

6. State Amends Designation of Foreign Terrorist Org., Includes New Names

The State Department has issued a notice that it is amending the designation of Salafist Group for Call and Combat as a foreign terrorist organization and including the following new names: al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb; AQIM; and Tanzim al-Qa'ida fi Bilad al-Maghrib al-Islamiya. (Public Notice 6102, FR Pub 02/20/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-3154.pdf)

7. Ecuador Carnations to be Removed from National Flower Program 02/29/08

CBP's Port of Miami issued an Information Bulletin announcing the removal of Dianthus (carnations) that originate in Ecuador from the National Cut Flower Release Program on February 29, 2008. The new risk level on Dianthus will be moderate. (Miami info bulletin 08-021, dated 02/14/08, available by emailing BP at documents@brokerpower.com)

8. BIS to Hold its Annual Export Control Forum on March 17th in California

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a press release announcing that its 3rd annual Export Control Forum will be held on March 17, 2008 in Newport Beach, CA. As in years past, this program will feature key management, policy, legal, and licensing specialists. BIS will also conduct two special topics seminars on technology licensing issues and on developing and implementing an export management system. (BIS press release, dated 02/20/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/newport_beach_mar_17_08.htm)

9. FMC Lists OTI Revocations

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued two notices announcing that it is either revoking or rescinding an order revoking the following Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) licenses:

(FMC notices, FR Pub 02/13/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-2674.pdf)

10. CBP Accredits Seven Companies as Commercial Gaugers and/or Laboratories

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued notices stating that it has accredited and approved the following companies as commercial gaugers and/or laboratories for petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with 19 CFR 151.12 and/or 151.13, on the effective dates listed (see individual notice for dates of next triennial inspections):