Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. NY CBP Officers, Others Arrested for Corruption, Drug Imports

2. Two Chicago Execs Arrested in China Honey Conspiracy

The Justice Department reports that two Chicago executives of a German-based food ingredients company were arrested on federal charges for allegedly conspiring to illegally import honey from China that was falsely identified as coming from other countries in order to avoid antidumping duties, and that was adulterated because it contained an antibiotic not approved for use in food producing animals, including bees. (Justice Dept. press release, dated 05/27/08 news, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2008/pr0527_02.pdf)

3. South Korea Asks U.S. Exporters to Refrain from Exporting Beef from Older Cattle

Shipper's NewsWire reports that South Korean officials are urging U.S. beef exporters not to export beef from cattle older than 30 months as it opens its doors to U.S. beef. In April 2008, South Korea had agreed to allow all U.S. beef imports, but later urged individual exporters to refrain from exporting older cattle. (SNW, dated 06/04/08, available at http://www.americanshipper.com/SNW_story.asp?news=95783.)

4. Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation issued a press release announcing that its Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee will hold a hearing on "The Imbalance in U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade" on June 11, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. (Press release, dated 06/03/08, available at http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=297cd906-90c2-420e-a570-caba41311f5d&Month=6&Year=2008.)

5. Canada Signs Free Trade, Labor, Environmental Agreements w/ Peru

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada reports that on May 29, 2008, Canada and Peru signed a Free Trade Agreement. The countries also signed the Canada-Peru Agreement on Labour Cooperation and the Canada-Peru Agreement on the Environment. (Press release, dated 05/29/08, available at http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=386239&language=E&docnumber=130)

6. 191 Countries Agree to Take Action on Biodiversity

The EU reports that 191 countries have agreed to take action to address the loss of biodiversity across the globe. At the 9th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, consensus was reached on various decisions, including an agreement for governments to take concrete actions towards reaching the global target of significantly reducing the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. (EU press release, dated 05/30/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/830&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

7. EC Sets Target for Getting Members to Use IPv6

The European Union reports that the European Commission set Europe a target of getting 25% of EU industry, public authorities and households to use Internet Protocol (IP version 6 or IPv6) by 2010 in order to provide an increase in address space. Increasing demand for Internet based services means that there would not be enough addresses to support this expected growth, if no action is taken. (EU press release, dated 05/07/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/803&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

8. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Australia Agricultural Situation: Australian Government Expresses Disappointment Over Farm Bill

Brazil Oilseeds and Products: Annual Soybean Report

Pakistan Cotton and Products: Cotton Annual Report

Pakistan Agricultural Situation: Pakistan Allows Private Sector Wheat Imports and Waives 10% Import Duty

Philippines Oilseeds and Products: Coconut Products Export - February 2008

Thailand Grain and Feed: Weekly Rice Price Update

Turkey Grain and Feed: Annual

Zimbabwe Cotton and Products: Annual

9. AMS Increases PACA Reparation Complaint Filing & Handling Fees

The Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule, effective June 30, 2008, amending the Rules of Practice under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act to increase from $60 to $100 the fee for filing an informal complaint; and to increase from $300 to $500 the fee for handling a formal complaint. (AMS final rule, D/N AMS-FV-06-0217, FR Pub 05/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12130.pdf)

10. TWIC Enrollment for Various Ports

The Transportation Security Administration is announcing that enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential for the ports of New Haven, CT and Benicia, CA will begin on May 29, 2008; enrollment for the ports of Nikiski, AK; Chester, PA; Escanaba, MI; and St. Thomas, VI will begin on June 18, 2008. (TSA notice, D/N TSA-2006-24191, FR Pub 05/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12048.pdf)

11. USDA Announces Public Meeting to Prepare for Codex

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced a public meeting to provide information and receive comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 31st Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, June 30 - July 4, 2008. (USDA press release, dated 05/28/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_052808_01/index.asp)

12. OFAC Publishes Enforcement Information for May 2, 2008

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a list of final agency penalty notices for entities as of May 2, 2008:

(OFAC notice available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/civpen/penalties/05292008.pdf )