Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Port of Los Angeles has issued a press release on the February 18, 2009 start of its collection of a Clean Truck Fee for the Clean Trucks Program (CTP). (News release, dated 02/18/09, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/newsroom/2009_releases/news_021809_ctp.asp)
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1. Los Angeles Port Press Release on Start of CTP Fee Collection
2. Homeland Security Committee Hearing with DHS Secretary
The House Committee on Homeland Security will hold a hearing on February 25, 2009 entitled "DHS: The Path Forward." Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, will be the sole witness. (Press release, dated 02/19/09, available at http://hsc.house.gov/press/index.asp?ID=420.)
3. GAO Letter on EPA's Process for Reviewing CA's Waiver Requests
The Government Accountability Office has issued a letter to congressional requesters on the Clean Air Act: Historical Information on EPA's Process for Reviewing California Waiver Requests and Making Waiver Determinations. (Letter, dated 01/16/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09249r.pdf)
4. USDA Says Not Enough Interest to Hold Referendum on Pork Order
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the results of a request for referendum that shows too few pork producers and importers want a continuance referendum on the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order. Under a settlement with USDA and the Michigan Pork Producers Association, if the results of the request had shown sufficient interest among pork producers and importers to have a vote on whether to continue the order, a referendum would have to have been held within a year. (News release, dated 02/18/09, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5075401&dID=108249&wf=false&description=USDAAnnouncesResultsofPorkRequestforReferendum&topNav=Newsroom&leftNav=&rig)
5. CBP Lists St. Augustine as User Fee Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule that revises the list of user fee airports to reflect the recent user fee airport designation for St. Augustine Airport in St. Augustine, Florida. (FR Pub 02/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3540.pdf)
6. CRS Report on U.S. Trade Policy & the Caribbean
The Congressional Research Service has posted a report entitle, "U.S. Trade Policy and the Caribbean: From Trade Preferences to Free Trade Agreements." (Report, dated 01/21/09, available at http://opencrs.com/document/RL33951)
7. WTO Releases Trade Policy Review for Japan
The World Trade Organization has released its Trade Policy Review for Japan. According to the WTO, since its previous Trade Policy Review, Japan has introduced measures aimed at further liberalizing its trade and investment regimes. In addition, Japan has not introduced new trade measures to protect its market since the onset of the global financial crisis in September 2008. (Press release, dated 02/18/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp311_e.htm)
8. EC Reminder: Release of Chinese Textile/Apparel Imports No Longer Requires Import Licenses or Surveillance Document
The European Commission has posted a notice reminding economic operators of the following practical changes that took effect January 1, 2009 with respect to imports of textile and clothing products originating in China: (1) the EC's double checking surveillance system of imports for certain product categories originating in China expired on December 31, 2008; and (2) from January 1, 2009, the release into free circulation of textile and clothing products originating in China no longer requires any import license or surveillance document regardless of their date of shipment. (Notice, dated 12/11/08, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2008/december/tradoc_141681.pdf)
9. Canada Repeals Regulation on the Importation of Periodicals
As a result of a review performed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Canada Gazette is publishing a regulation that repeals the regulation C.R.C., c.533 Importation of Periodicals Regulations. (Notice, dated 02/18/09, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2008/20090218/html/sor30-e.html)
10. CBSA Revises Several D-Memoranda
Canada Border Services Agency has revised the following D-Memoranda:
Memorandum D19-7-3: Importation and Exportation of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material
Memorandum D10-14-27: Tariff Classification of Front-Mount Mowers
Memorandum D2-3-2: Former Residents of Canada Tariff Item No. 9805.00.00
11. ICE States Man Pleads Guilty to Reselling Counterfeit Imports on Internet
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a news release stating that a former Island County, Wash., resident pleaded guilty in federal court that he illegally imported more than $2 million in counterfeit goods from China and resold them on the Internet. The items he imported bore the trademark of reputable manufacturers and included counterfeit Bowflex exercise units, "Magic Bullet" blenders, and North Face Recon backpacks. (News release, dated 02/09/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0902/090218seattle.htm)
12. German Nat'l Arrested for Smuggling Coral from the Philippines
The Department of Justice has issued a press release announcing that Gunther Wenzek, a German national, was charged with three felony counts of smuggling protected coral into the U.S. port of Portland, OR, three felony counts of violating the Lacey Act and three misdemeanor charges of violating the Endangered Species Act. (Press release, dated 02/13/09, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/or/PressReleases/2009/20090213_Wenzek.html)
13. State Terminates Statutory Debarment for Electrodyne (AdComm)
The State Department is providing notice that it has terminated, effective February 9, 2009, the statutory debarment of Electrodyne Systems Corporation (now known as AdComm, Inc.) pursuant to section 38(g)(4) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) (22 U.S.C. 2778). (FR Pub, 02/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3414.pdf )
14. OFAC Lists New Entity Blocked Due to Terrorism Concerns
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of one newly-designated entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13224, ''Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism. (FR Pub 02/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3496.pdf)
15. OMB Completes Review of BIS Final Rule on Removing Persons from Entity List
On February 18, 2009, the Office of Management and Budget completed its review of a final rule from the Bureau of Industry and Security on the removal of certain persons from the entity list based on removal requests and ERC Annual Review. (Select "Department of Commerce" from second dropdown box.) (Review available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d6b48807d7c1a94f888a2add483b76b1b8.e38Nch4NbhuNa40LbN8Tb3aKa38Le6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)
16. State Dept Announces Meeting of the Int'l Telecommunication Advisory Committee
The State Dept is announcing a March 17, 2009 meeting of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC), in order to prepare for the ITU World Telecommunication Policy Forum to be held in April 2009, among other things. (FR Pub 02/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3530.pdf)
17. FAS Posts Monthly Cotton Trade Data
The Foreign Agricultural Service has posted the latest version of its report entitled, "Cotton: World Markets and Trade Monthly Circular." (Report available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cotton/circular/Current.asp)
18. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
China Agricultural Situation: Weekly Hongbao
India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 7
Japan Market Development Report: Success Story - National Supermarket Showcases American Food
Japan Market Development Reports: Japan Food Trends February
Malaysia Grain and Feed: Annual
Bangladesh Grain and Feed: Annual
France Biotechnology: French Biotech Policy Measures Bogged Down
Nigeria Grain and Feed: Rice Import Situation
Pakistan Cotton and Products: Cotton Update 2008/09
Philippines Biotechnology: Philippine Low Level Presence Policy
Taiwan Organic Products: Update on Taiwan's New Organic Regulations and Labeling Requirements