Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to a U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel Textile Development Memo, the House and Senate conferees that are working on a compromise Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 (aka the Farm Bill), are expected to include provisions that would extend the U.S.-Caribbean Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) for two years and extend for ten years and expand the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act. (USA-ITA TDM, dated 05/01/08, www.usaita.com.)
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1. Farm Bill Compromise May Include CBTPA and Haiti HOPE Provisions
2. ITDS Says 45-Day Decrease in Allowable ACE Inactivity is for Security
The International Trade Data System has issued a notice stating that the reason why CBP is decreasing the maximum allowable inactivity period for ACE Secure Data Portal accounts from 90 days to 45 days is to meet new, more stringent security guidelines established by DHS. If an ACE Portal Account User does not access the ACE Portal within a 45 day period, portal access for that User will be suspended. (Notice, dated 04/29/08, available at http://www.itds.gov/xp/itds/toolbox/library/ace_assist/ace_access_lost.xml)
3. FMC Plans Regular Commission Meetings
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a press release announcing that it plans to hold regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. The FMC will also hold additional meetings as necessary. For May 2008, the FMC will meet on the 14th and 28th. In addition, the FMC will meet on May 7th. Meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m., unless otherwise noted. (Press release, dated 05/05/08, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=242)
4. TWIC Enrollment for Various Ports
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a notice announcing that enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential for the port of Houma, LA will begin on May 7, 2008; Morgan City, LA will begin on May 9, 2008; Calcite, MI and San Francisco, CA will begin on May 14, 2008; and Kansas City, MO will begin on May 15, 2008. (D/Ns TSA-2006-24191; Coast Guard-2006-24196, FR Pub 05/06/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10003.pdf)
5. EC to Hold Conference on Counterfeiting and Piracy
The European Commission has issued a press release announcing it will hold a conference on counterfeiting and piracy on May 13, 2008. Speakers will cover various topics including the effects on economic growth and job creation in Europe, risks to citizens' health and safety, and measures which could enhance the fight against fake goods. (EC press release, IP/08/652, dated 04/28/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/652&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
6. HKTDC Reports China May Resume Tax Incentives for Textile Exporters
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has issued a notice stating that China may consider resuming tax incentives for textile exporters. According to the notice, the projected plan is aimed to help textile exports to survive amid rising costs. (HKTDC notice, dated 04/29/08, available at http://garments.hktdc.com/content.aspx?data=Garments_content_en&contentid=1027348&src=IN_ChiMaiHk&w_sid=194&w_pid=681&w_nid=10369&w_cid=1027348&w_idt=1900-01-01&w_oid=343&w_jid=.)
7. ICE Seizes $5 Million in Counterfeit Merchandise in Alabama
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a press release announcing that it recently arrested four illegal aliens for trafficking more than $5 million in counterfeit items. Kemo Krubally, a native of Gambia, who operates wholesale and retail merchandise outlets under the name of ATL FASHIONS, was arrested, along with three other men. Items seized included counterfeit Nike shoes and counterfeit Prada and Coach handbags. (Press release, dated 05/02/08, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080502montgomery.htm)
8. U.S., Canada Revise Guidelines for Movement of Potatoes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a press release stating that the USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced modified guidelines to allow for the continued trade of potatoes should there be future detections of potato cyst nematodes in either the U.S. or Canada. (Release No. 0119.08, dated 05/05/08, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/05/0119.xml)
9. Canada Tables Legislation in Parliament to Implement FTA With EFTA
The Canadian government has issued a press release announcing that it has tabled in Parliament legislation to implement Canada's free trade agreement with the states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada press release No. 104, dated 05/05/08, available at http://news.gc.ca/web/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=396609&categoryid=16.)
10. EC Council of Ministers Formally Adopts European Wine Reform
The European Commission has issued a press release announcing that the Council of Ministers has formally adopted a wide-ranging reform of the Common Market Organisation for wine. The changes will bring balance to the wine market, phase out wasteful and expensive market intervention measures and allow the budget to be used for more positive, proactive measures which will boost the competitiveness of European wines. (EC press release, IP/08/656, dated 04/29/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/656&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
11. Belize Accedes to WCO, Now 173 Members
The World Customs Organization has issued a press release announcing that on April 22, 2008, Belize deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention establishing the Customs Cooperation Council. With the addition of Belize, the WCO now has 173 Members. (WCO press release, dated 04/28/08, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=5&id=157 and WCO list of its 173 members available at http://www.wcoomd.org/files/1.%20Public%20files/PDFandDocuments/TABLEAU173MEMBRESENCOULEURE.pdf)
12. BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for February 2008
The Department of Transportation has issued a press release on the Bureau of Transportation Statistics releasing the North American surface trade numbers for February 2008: trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, was 16.3% higher in February 2008 than in February 2007, reaching $69.4 billion. (BTS 20-08, dated 04/30/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/bts2008.htm)
13. WTO Members Agree on Selection Process for Permanent Group of Members
The World Trade Organization has issued a press release announcing that the WTO Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, on April 29, 2008, approved the chair's proposal for appointments to the four vacancies in the Permanent Group of Experts (PGE), including one that had been outstanding since 2005. Members agreed that the Chair of the Committee will hold informal consultations on nominees, and submit a proposal for decision by the Committee in July 2008. (Press release, dated 04/29/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/scm_april08_e.htm)
14. ITA's U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board to Meet May 20, 2008
The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing an open meeting of its U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board on May 20, 2008 in Washington, DC to discuss topics related to the travel and tourism industry. (ITA notice, FR Pub 05/06/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-1212.pdf)
15. APHIS Withdraws Proposed Rule on Nursery Stock Regulations
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice announcing that it is withdrawing its August 2007 proposed rule to shorten the post-entry quarantine growing period for certain articles of Chrysanthemum spp., Leucanthemellaserotina, and Nipponanthemumnipponicum; the proposed rule would also have changed the definition of the term "from." (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/22/07 news, 07082299 5, for the proposed rule.) (D/N 03-002-7, FR Pub 05/06/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-9968.pdf)
16. FTZB Notices
The following Foreign Trade Zone Board notices were published:
Grant of Authority; Establishment of FTZ 273 - West Memphis, Arkansas
Expansion of FTZ 134 - Chattanooga, Tennessee
Expansion of FTZ 44 and Expansion of Scope of Manufacturing - Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Grant of Authority for Subzone Status, Mastex Industries, Inc. (Airbag Fabric for Export) - Holyoke, Massachusetts
Grant of Authority for Subzone Status, Souriau USA (Aerospace, Industrial and R/F Connectors) - York, Pennsylvania
(FTZB notices available by searching on the May 6, 2008 Federal Register:http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html)