Canada's Minister of International Trade is amending the NAFTA Tariff Preference Level (TPL) Wool Apparel Allocation Policy as follows: Effective July 5, 2010, the current balance of unallocated TPL for the 2010 allocation year will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to exporters once they have utilized their current allocation. On January 1, 2011, TPL will be allocated on the basis of 2010 performance with any remaining balance made available on a first-come, first-served basis during the course of the year. In addition, the transfer of wool apparel TPL between allocation holders will no longer be permitted and the current 25% return to the Minister policy will be maintained.

A ban on the sale of illegally-harvested timber, along with traceability measures and sanctions, has been given the green light by the European Parliament. The law aims to reduce illegal deforestation and give consumers better assurances about the products they buy. The European Council has already informally agreed with the terms of this draft legislation but will need to rubber stamp it before it can pass into law. The rules are expected to take effect in late 2012 to allow timber operators time to adapt.

The European Commission has confirmed that Sri Lanka will temporarily lose its preferential access to the EU market, starting August 15, 2010. Though the European Council offered to delay its February 2010 decision to remove Sri Lanka's GSP+ status pending tangible and sustainable progress on a number of outstanding issues, the Commission has not heard anything from Sri Lankan authorities and is moving forward with the revocation.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade states that effective immediately, all requests for cancellation of permits for released Agriculture, Steel, Textiles and Clothing shipments are to be submitted by facsimile on the new Request for Cancellation form EXT 876. Failure to provide the Cancellation form and the Customs documents will result in delaying the cancellation request.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade states that effective immediately, all requests for cancellation of permits for released Agriculture, Steel, Textiles and Clothing shipments are to be submitted by facsimile on the new Request for Cancellation form EXT 876.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology posts drafts and changes to foreign technical regulations for manufactured products which may be considered technical barriers to trade and are therefore required to be reported to the World Trade Organization, which distributes the information to WTO Member countries.

Xinhuanet.com says that with the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), Taiwanese businesses are hoping for better access to southeast Asian markets. The ECFA agreement reached on June 29 means the mainland and Taiwan will "gradually reduce and remove trade and investment barriers and create a fair environment" for each other. The agreement also had a list of products and services for the "early harvest program." Tariffs on these goods and services will be reduced to zero within two years of implementation.

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reports that the share of farm support provided by government programs rose slightly in OECD countries last year, reversing a declining trend in state support since 2004.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and related ministries has compiled and released its "Annual Report on the Office of Intellectual Property Protection", which summarizes measures that the government took to combat counterfeit and pirated goods in the past year. Its purpose is to provide relevant information primarily for Japanese industries.