Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. LA/LB Ports Say They Can Operate Under Two Separate Clean Truck Programs

2. Pharmaceutical Industry Can't Meet Deadline for CALIF Counterfeit Drug Tracking System

The Los Angeles Times reports that the pharmaceutical industry says it needs more time to meet California's January 1, 2009 deadline for manufacturers and retail pharmacies to create an electronic system to record a drug's journey from factory to patient. The system to fight counterfeit drugs would be the first in the U.S., and the pharmaceutical industry has repeatedly complained about implementing it, despite recent concerns over the deaths linked to contaminated blood thinner heparin from China. (LA Times, dated 03/25/08, available at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-drugs25mar25,1,7868856.story)

3. Mexico's Trade Deficit Three Times Bigger Than Expected at $1.997 Billion

Reuters reports that Mexico's trade deficit was $1.997 billion in February, nearly three times bigger than expected, according to Mexican officials. (Reuters, dated 03/26/08, available at http://about.reuters.com/dynamic/countrypages/mexico/1206564792nN26451590.ASP)

4. Miami CBP Information Bulletin on Reimbursable Billing for Agricultural Inspection Services

CBP's Port of Miami has issued an Information Bulletin to communicate the protocol for reimbursable billing for agricultural inspection services requested from CBP-Agriculture, Miami Air Cargo, on a Sunday, holiday, or any time outside the regular tour of duty of the employee providing the services. (Information Bulletin available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com.)

5. ITDS Posts 4th Quarter 2007 e-Newsletter

The International Trade Data System has posted the fourth quarter 2007 issue of its ITDS e-Newsletter, which among other things, includes information on the Environmental Protection Agency's development of an innovative Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) integration approach, information on U.S. Customs and Border Protection's cargo control and release review sessions, etc. (ITDS newsletter, dated Quarter 4, 2007, available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/news/e_newsletters/4th_qrtr_nwsltr.ctt/4th_qtr_nwsltr.pdf)

6. Treasury Secretary to Visit China to Discuss Economy, Environment, Etc.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will be in Beijing April 2 and 3 to discuss a broad range of economic issues as part of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), including the challenges of environmental sustainability, climate change and energy security. (Treasury press release, HP-889, dated 03/27/08, available at http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp889.htm)

7. NY/NJ Port Sets Cargo Record for 2007, Plans for Expansion

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey issued a press release announcing record cargo volume at the Port of New York and New Jersey in 2007, outperforming other major ports in the U.S. The Port Authority also detailed the expansion efforts at the port and the steps being taken to ensure it remains the economic generator for the region. (Port authority press release dated 03/20/08, available at http://www.panynj.gov/AboutthePortAuthority/PressCenter/PressReleases/PressRelease/index.php?id=1046)

8. DHS Begins Collecting 10 Fingerprints from Int'l Visitors at JFK

DHS issued a press release announcing that it has begun collecting ten fingerprints from international visitors arriving at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. (DHS press release dated 03/25/07, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1206470846443.shtm )

9. IQPC to Hold Anti-Counterfeiting and Brand Protection Summit April 28-30

The International Quality & Productivity Center has posted information to its Web site announcing that the 3rd Annual Anti-Counterfeiting & Brand Protection Summit on implementing strategies for combating the growing industry epidemic while defending brand integrity will take place from April 28 - 30, 2008 in New York, NY. (IQPC summit information available at http://www.iqpcevents.com/ShowEvent.aspx?id=69578&details=69608)

10. IPPC Announces Meeting of Phytosanitary Measures Commission

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) reports that the Third Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures will take place at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, on April 7-11, 2008. Information available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/CDSServlet?status=ND0xODQyMzImNj1lbiYzMz0qJjM3PWtvcw%7E%7E .

11. 2008 WCO Information Technology Conference and Exhibition

The World Customs Organization has announced that its 2008 Information Technology Conference and Exhibition will be held April 23-25, 2008 in Seoul, Korea. Information available at http://www.wcoomd.org/event_factsheet.htm.

12. WTO Hearing on Zeroing Dispute to be Partially Open to the Public

The World Trade Organization has issued a press release announcing that at the request of the parties in the dispute "U.S - Laws, Regulations and Methodology for Calculating Dumping Margins (Zeroing) (DS 294 (21.5)), the dispute settlement panel has agreed to start its meeting with the parties on April 9, 2008 with a session open to public viewing at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva. (WTO press release, dated 03/27/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/dispu294_march08_e.htm)

13. FSIS Meetings on Codex Food Labeling, WHO Health Strategy

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced a public meeting on March 31, 2008 in Washington, DC to provide information and receive comments on draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 36th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling, to be held in Ottawa, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2008. In addition, a working group on the Implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health will meet on April 26, 2008. (D/N FSIS-2008-0009, FR Pub 03/27/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6243.pdf )

14. Armenia Added to List of Regions Where African Swine Fever Exists

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has, effective March 27, 2008, adopted as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations concerning the importation of animals and animal products by adding Armenia to the list of regions where African swine fever exists. (D/N APHIS-2007-0142, FR Pub 03/27/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6242.pdf )

15. APHIS Assessments of Avian Flu in Denmark and France

APHIS is announcing the availability of its assessments of the animal health status of Denmark and France relative to the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), following single outbreaks of HPAI subtype H5N1 in domestic poultry in each of those countries. Comments are due by April 28, 2008. (D/N APHIS-2008-0012, FR Pub 03/27/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6241.pdf )