Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Japan Comments on Release of Revised WTO Text on AD Rules

2. CBSA Modifies its PIP Web Site

The Canada Border Services Agency has updated its Partners in Protection (PIP) (similar to C-TPAT) Web page. (Posting available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/security-securite/pip-pep/menu-eng.html)

3. MARAD Stay of Effectiveness on Marine Highway Program Rule

The Maritime Administration has issued a notice announcing that it must stay the effectiveness of the regulations established by an October 2008 interim final rule regarding a marine highway program. (FR Pub 12/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30992.pdf)

4. USTR Statement on Signing of Protocol to 2005 U.S.-Russia Agreement

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted the statement of USTR Spokesman Spicer on the recent signing of the protocol to the 2005 U.S.-Russia Agreement on Trade in Certain Types of Poultry, Beef, and Pork. The protocol makes adjustments to the in-quota quantity and out-of-quota tariff for U.S. pork and poultry exports to the Russian Federation. (Posting available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/December/asset_upload_file486_15262.pdf)

5. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for December 24th

The Food and Drug Administration has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of December 24, 2008. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency Regulatory activities. (Posted 12/24/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/2008/ENF01087.html)

6. OFAC Quarterly Report on Certain Licensing Activities

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued its quarterly report (for July-September 2008) on licensing activities pursuant to the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. (Posted 12/29/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20081229.shtml)

7. USDA Offers GSM-102 Credit Guarantees for Export Sales to Pakistan

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a news release stating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the availability of $48 million in credit guarantees for sales of U.S. agricultural commodities to Pakistan under the Commodity Credit Corporation's Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) for fiscal year 2009. (Issued 12/29/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0184-08)

8. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Austria FAIRS Country Report: Annual

China FAIRS Subject Report: Grain and Oilseed Standards

China FAIRS Subject Report: Grain and Oilseed Standards

China FAIRS Subject Report: Grain and Oilseed Standards

China FAIRS Subject Report: Grain and Oilseed Standards

Colombia Grain and Feed: Colombia Allocates First Tranche of Corn TRQ and Increases Quota to 3.05 Million Tons

France Product Brief: Dried Fruit

France Product Brief: Non-Alcoholic Beverages

France Product Brief: Sauces, Condiments, and Dressing

Guatemala Retail Food Sector: Annual

India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 51

India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 52

Mexico Agricultural Situation: Mexico Announces the Modification of Import Duties for Oilseeds

Portugal Food Processing Ingredients Sector: Annual

Senegal Exporter Guide: Annual Update

Thailand Grain and Feed: Weekly Rice Price Update

Venezuela Biotechnology: Biodiversity Law

9. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Shrimp

Swordfish for Methyl Mercury

Aquaculture Seafood Products Due to Unapproved Drugs

Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

Refrigerated (Not Frozen) Vacuum Packaged or Modified Atmosphere Packaged Raw Fish and Fishery Products Due to the Potential for Clostridium Botulinum Toxin Production

Seafood and Seafood Products from Specific Manufacturers/Shippers Due to Decomposition and/or Histamines

and Guidance of Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

Fish and Fishery Products Where the Foreign Processor Has Failed to Comply with Seafood HACCP, 21 CFR 123

and Surveillance of Food Products Containing Sulfites

Surgeon's and/or Patient Examination Gloves

Cantaloupes from Honduras

Raw Fresh Fruits and Vegetables from Listed Manufacturers, Shippers, and/or Growers Due to the Presence of Pathogenic Contamination

Food Products Due to the Presence of Melamine and/or Melamine Analogs

Cosmetics Due to Microbiological Contamination

and Intensified Coverage of Pig Ears and Other Dog Treats Due to the Presence of Salmonella

Processed Foods for Pesticides

Medicated Feeds Containing Monensin for Failing to Meet Certain Specifications

Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

10. OFAC Unblocks 3 Individuals under Drug Trafficking EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of three individuals whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers. (FR Pub 12/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30971.pdf)

11. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

CBP 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 11/10/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26724.pdf

CBP 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 11/10/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26723.pdf

APHIS 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 11/19/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27483.pdf

APHIS 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 11/19/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27482.pdf

APHIS 3 Information Collection (FR Pub 11/05/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26384.pdf

TSA 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 11/20/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27526.pdf

12. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 11/05/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26401.pdf