Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Colombia Asks U.S. to Extend ATPA/ATPDEA While Congress Debates FTA

2. Senate Members Seek Full Enforcement of U.S.-Canada SLA 2006

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Saxby Chambliss, and 13 colleagues submitted a letter to President Bush calling on the President to make additional efforts to fully enforce the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement. In their letter to the President, the Senators said that current arbitration efforts are not ensuring Canada's compliance with the agreement. (Senate Finance Committee press release, dated 01/28/08, available at http://www.senate.gov/finance/press/Bpress/2008press/prb012808.pdf)

3. Three Indicted for Trying to Illegally Export Electronics to China

El Paso Times reports that according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, three men were recently indicted for violating the International Traffic in Arms Regulations by trying to export certain electronic equipment from the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands to a Chinese company without an export license. (El Paso Times, dated 01/28/08, available at http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_8102269)

4. FSIS Updates Lists of Plants Eligible to Export Meat, Poultry, Etc. to U.S.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has updated its lists of eligible foreign establishments certified to export meat, poultry, and eggs to the U.S. for Canada and the eligible foreign establishments certified to export meat and poultry for Chile. (FSIS plant lists, dated 01/31/08 and 01/25/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Eligible_Foreign_Establishments/index.asp)

5. FSIS Revises Meat, Poultry Export Requirements for Several Countries

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted revised export requirements for meat, poultry, etc. for Cuba, Barbados, China, Russia, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the Philippines. (FSI export requirements, revised as of 02/06/08, 02/04/08 and 01/31/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Index_of_Import_Requirements_by_Country/)

7. WCO Training on Harmonized System for Transport Equipment

The World Customs Organization has issued a reminder stating that it will hold its "Harmonized System for Transport Equipment" class for the private sector on April 15-16, 2008. The class is intended to help familiarize participants with the provisions for transport equipment in the HS and gain in-depth knowledge on classification of goods in HS Chapters 84 and 87, focusing on vehicles for the transport of persons and those for the transport of goods, mobile machines, and their related parts and accessories. The participant profile includes importers, exporters, manufacturers, customs brokers, clearing agents, consultants and legal advisers. The class includes 6 hours of e-learning material and 2 days of on-site training and costs 1,850 for the 1st participant and 1,650 for each extra participant. (WCO, available at http://www.premierairtime.com/Brochures/HSVEH2008%20Brochure.pdf)

8. Final Selection of 2 Centralized Examination Stations for LA/LB

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach has issued a Public Bulletin announcing the final selection of two Centralized Examination Stations (CESs) - Trade Enforcement CES and Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team CES, which are privately operated facilities at which merchandise is made available to CBP for physical examination. (LA08-006, dated 02/01/08, available by emailing BP at documents@brokerpower.com)

9. AMS Proposes to Increase Beef Board Members to 106, 1 Importer Unit

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule which would adjust representation on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board to increase Board membership from 104 to 106, and divide the U.S. into 39 geographical units, with 1 unit representing importers, effective with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's appointments for terms beginning early in the year 2009. Written comments must be received by AMS by March 10, 2008. (AMS proposed rule, D/N LS-07-0141, FR Pub 02/07/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-2194.pdf)

10. OFAC Designates 4 New Entities & Individuals Under Zimbabwe EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of four newly designated entities and individuals whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13391, "Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe," effective Jan. 30, 2008. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 02/07/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-2228.pdf)

11. TWIC Enrollment for Various Ports

The Transportation Security Administration has issued a notice announcing that enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential for the Ports of Louisville, KY; Ashtabula, OH; and Everett, WA was scheduled to begin on February 6, 2008; and enrollment for the Ports of Port Everglades, FL; Nashville, TN; and Oswego, NY was to begin on February 8, 2008. TWIC enrollment for the Ports of LaPlata, MD and Portland, ME will begin on February 13, 2008; enrollment for Lorain, OH will begin on February 20, 2008; and enrollment for Sault St. Marie, MI will begin on February 21, 2008. (TSA Notice, D/Ns TSA-2006-24191; Coast Guard-2006-24196, FR Pub 01/29/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/29jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1541.pdf)

12. Treasury Provides Interim Guidance on Terrorism Risk Insurance Reauthorization Act

The Treasury Department has issued a notice providing interim guidance to insurers, policyholders, state insurance regulators and the public concerning recent statutory amendments to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-297). Those amendments revise the definition of an "act of terrorism" covered by P.L. 107-297, and make certain other changes. This notice addresses the changes to mandatory availability ("make available") and disclosure requirements. (Treasury Notice, FR Pub 01/29/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/29jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1467.pdf)

13. APHIS Proposes to List San Luis, AZ as Port for Infected Cattle

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to amend the regulations regarding the importation of cattle from Mexico by adding San Luis, AZ, as a port through which cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases may be imported into the U.S. Comments are due on or before March 31, 2008. (APHIS Notice, FR Pub 01/29/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/29jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1533.pdf)

14. FDA Revises Labeling Requirements for OTC Lip Protectants

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a final rule, effective March 3, 2008, amending the regulation that establishes conditions under which over-the-counter skin protectant drug products are generally recognized as safe and effective and not misbranded. This amendment revises labeling requirements for OTC skin protectant drug products formulated and marketed as lip protectants. (FDA final rule, D/Ns 1978N-0021, 1978N-0021P (formerly D/Ns 78N-0021 and 78N-0021P), FR Pub 02/01/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1818.pdf)

15. State Dept Terminates Statutory Debarment of Peter Appelbaum

The State Department has issued a notice announcing that it has terminated the statutory debarment against Peter Appelbaum, effective January 24, 2008, pursuant to section 38(g)(4) of the Arms Export Control Act. (Public Notice 6089, FR Pub 02/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1948.pdf)

16. State Dept Announces Meetings of ITAC

The State Department is announcing that the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee will meet on February 19, and March 4, 11, and 18, 2008 to prepare advice on U.S. positions for the March/April 2008 meeting of the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector Study Group 3 (Tariff and accounting principles including related telecommunication economic and policy issues). ITAC will meet on February 21, 2008 to prepare advice on the April 2008 meeting of the Organization of American States Inter-American Telecommunication Commission Permanent Consultative Committee I. (Public Notice 6080, FR Pub 02/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1950.pdf)

17. State Dept Proposes to Extend MOU with Cambodia on Archaeological Import Restrictions

The State Department has issued a notice announcing that a meeting will be held to review a proposal to extend the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Cambodia concerning the imposition of import restrictions on Khmer archaeological material. The Cultural Property Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled on March 6 and 7, 2008 in Washington D.C. (Public Notice 6075, FR Pub 02/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1953.pdf)

18. FHA Seeks Applications to Participate in Toll Express Lanes Project

The Federal Highway Administration has issued a notice inviting States, public authorities, or other entities as designated by States to apply to participate in the Express Lanes Demonstration Program. This notice also presents guidelines for program applications and participation. (The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out 15 demonstration projects to permit States, public authorities, or public or private entities designated by States, the authority to collect a toll from a motor vehicle on an eligible toll facility.) Applications must be received no later than May 31, 2009. (FHA notice, FR Pub 02/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1932.pdf)

19. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued separate press releases (dated 01/01/08 - 01/31/08) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below. Due to the large number of recalls, this is Part III, the final partof a multi-part series of summaries. (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljan08.html)

20. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice listing those applying for Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) licenses as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), Ocean Freight Forwarder (FF), or NVOCC/FF as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 02/07/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-2218.pdf