Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. USTR, Commerce Announce Meeting of U.S.-China Joint Commission

2. FMC Updates Petitioner Counsel's Address for Serving Comments in Response to NCBFAA's Petition

The Federal Maritime Commission issued a notice providing an updated address where comments are to be served on NCBFAA's counsel regarding its petition for an exemption from the provisions of the Shipping Act of 1984 that require non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) to publish and adhere to all ocean tariff rates to be served on NCBFAA's counsel. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/11/08 news, 08081125, for BP summary of the FMC's original notice.) (FMC notice, Petition P1-08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18881.pdf.)

3. BIS, NDIA to Co-Host Inaugural U.S.-Israel High-Technology Forum

The Bureau of Industry and Security and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) will co-host the inaugural U.S.-Israel High Technology Forum (HTF) on September 9, 2008. The event is a bilateral dialogue established to facilitate and enhance secure high technology trade and investment between the U.S. and Israel. It also provides a forum for the U.S. and Israeli private sectors to discuss the opportunities and challenges related to high technology trade, development, and investment. (BIS notice available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/htf_page.htm

4. BIS Major Cases List for August 2008

BIS updated its "Major Cases List" for August 2008. New additions to the List are highlighted first, followed by major cases from over the last several years grouped by case focus. (August 2008 Major Cases List available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/complianceandenforcement/mcl082008.pdf)

5. FDA Adopts Interim Final Rule on Soluble Fiber Health Claims as Final

The Food and Drug Administration is adopting as a final rule, without change, the provisions of the interim final rule that amended the regulation authorizing a health claim on soluble fiber from certain foods and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), to add barley betafiber as an additional eligible source of beta-glucan soluble fiber. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/04/08 news, 08030499 9, for BP summary of FDA's interim final rule.) (FDA final rule, D/N FDA-2008-0090, FR Pub 08/15/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18863.pdf.)

6. Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee to Meet

The International Trade Administration issued a notice announcing that the Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee will hold an open meeting on September 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA. (FR Pub 08/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-19091.pdf)

7. National Advisory Committee on Meat, Poultry Inspection to Meet

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is announcing that the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will hold a public meeting on August 27-28, 2008 in Washington, DC, to review and discuss international equivalence and the approach to verifying the equivalence of foreign food regulatory systems as the means of ensuring the safety of imported food products. (D/N FSIS-2008-0029, FR Pub 08/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-19041.pdf)

8. FDA Warns Against Eating Certain Mussel Products from Bantry Bay Seafood

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers against eating certain frozen cooked mussel products made by Bantry Bay Seafoods, imported from Ireland, because they may be contaminated with azaspiracid toxins, a group of naturally occurring marine toxins known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. (FDA, dated 08/15/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01875.html)

9. APHIS Considers Allowing Imports of White Asparagus from Senegal

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is advising the public that it has prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into the continental U.S of fresh white asparagus from Senegal. Comments are due within 60 days of August 18, 2008. (D/N APHIS-2008-0084, FR Pub 08/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-19093.pdf)

10. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

FAS issued the following GAIN reports:

China HRI Food Service Sector: Evaluation report-HRI Activity in Hangzhou

Hong Kong Market Development Reports: Macau - A Booming Market for U.S. Exporters

Kenya Agricultural Situation: Kenya High Food Prices

Pakistan Sugar: Pakistan Imposes Sugar Export Ban

Ukraine Grain and Feed: Grains Monthly Overview

Vietnam FAIRS Subject Report: Vietnam Maximum Residue Levels in Food

11. FTZB Application Notice

The Foreign Trade Zone Board issued the following:

FTZ 72 - Indianapolis, IN - Application for Subzone Status, GETRAG Transmission Manufacturing LLC (Automotive Transmissions)

12. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

EPA Information Collection (FR Pub 07/28/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17218.pdf

APHIS Information Collection (FR Pub 07/28/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17217.pdf

CBP Information Collection (FR Pub 07/15/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16127.pdf