Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico was 28 percent lower in July 2009 than in July 2008, dropping to $51.5 billion in the seventh consecutive month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27 percent. (Press release, dated 09/30/09, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts046_09/html/bts046_09.html)
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1. NAFTA Surface Transportation Trade Dropped 28% in July from Last Year
2. ILA Committee Recommends Master Contract Extension Agreement
According to the International Longshoremen's Association Web site, the ILA Wage Scale Committee has overwhelmingly recommended a Master Contract Extension Agreement by a vote of 58 to 9. (ILA Web site notice, available at http://www.ilaunion.org/index.html.)
3. LA Port to Receive Nearly $2 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Retool Equipment
The Port of Los Angeles has been awarded nearly $2 million from the Environmental Protection Agency, under its American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. The ARRA funding will be used by the Port of Los Angeles and its tenants to replace, repower or retrofit a total of 27 pieces of equipment currently in operation at the Port, including trucks, forklifts, cranes and other cargo handling equipment. (News release, dated 10/01/09, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/newsroom/2009_releases/news_100109_epafunding.asp)
4. EC to Consider Long-Term Dairy Sector Solutions
The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development has informed agriculture ministers that a High Level Expert Group on Milk will soon discuss medium and long-term arrangements for the dairy sector, given the expiration of milk quotas on April 1, 2015. (Press release, dated 10/05/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1420&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
5. USTR, Vietnam Trade Officials Discuss Trade, Possible Bilateral Investment Treaty
U.S. Trade Representative Kirk met with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem to discuss a range of bilateral trade and investment issues, in particular their mutual interest in maintaining momentum in discussions toward a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). (Notice, dated 10/02/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/ambassador-kirk-meets-vietnams-deputy-prime-minister-and-foreign-minister-pham-gia-khiem)
6. CPSC Reorganizes Its CPSIA Website by Topic
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has reorganized its website on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Among other things, the "What's New" section is now shorter and the "CPSIA by Topic" section has been expanded so that each topic (lead, phthalates, etc.) now contains hyperlinks to relevant Federal Register notices, Frequently Asked Questions, Commissioner Statements, Public Meetings, Requirements, Test Procedures, Etc.
7. Federal Register to be Published in XML Format
As of October 5, 2009, the National Archives and Records Administration and the U.S. Government Printing Office will publish the Federal Register in "XML" format. XML is a simple and flexible, machine-readable form of text that is easy to manipulate with software. By putting the Federal Register in XML, the federal government is for the first time allowing individuals to take control over how they want to read the Federal Register. (White House blog, dated 10/05/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Federal-Register-20-Opening-a-Window-onto-the-Inner-Workings-of-Government/.)
8. AMS Final Rules on Referendum for "Farm Bill" Amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule and referendum order to provide Upland cotton producers and importers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum on whether they approve the 2008 Farm Bill's provision that Kansas, Virginia, and Florida be separate states in the definition of "cotton-producing state." AMS has also issued a final rule, effective October 6, 2009, which establishes referendum proceduresfor these amendments. (D/N AMS-CN-09-0032; CN-08-003, FR Pub 10/05/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-23778.pdf)
9. FMC Combines Two Oct. Meetings Into One on October 21, 2009
The Federal Maritime Commission has announced that its meetings scheduled for October 7th and 28th have been combined into one meeting, to be held Wednesday, October 21, 2009. For more information on the meeting, contact the FMC. (Notice, posted 10/05/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/CommissionMeetingScheduleforOctober.asp)
10. Export.gov 2008-2009 Automotive Resource Guide
Export.gov is announcing the availability of the U.S. Commercial Service's Automotive Resource Guide. This guide provides U.S. businesses with access to foreign market information and additional resources, to help increase their international sales. (Notice, posted 10/05/09, available at http://www.export.gov/articles/eg_main_020603.asp)
11. FMCSA Issues Its 2009 National List of Closed Enforcement Cases
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted its FY 2009 list of closed FMCSA enforcement cases. An enforcement case is deemed "closed" once FMCSA issues a carrier a "Notice of Claim" and the carrier has (1) paid the penalty in full, (2) signed a settlement agreement, or (3) defaulted on the NOC, upon which a "Final Agency Order" was issued. (List, posted 10/05/09, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/enforcement-reports/enforcement-reports.aspx)
12. FAS Reports Acceptance of DEIP Bid for Anhydrous Milk Fat
The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted bids under the Dairy Export Incentive Program from exporters Burt Lewis International Corp. and Hoogwegt U.S., Inc. for anhydrous milk fat to Asia and Eurasia. (News release, dated 10/05/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0248-09)
13. WTO Arbitrator Gives Colombia Until Feb. 2010 to Comply in Port of Entry Dispute (U.S. is 3rd Party)
A World Trade Organization arbitrator has determined that Colombia has until the beginning of February 2010 to implement the dispute settlement board's recommendations and rulings in the dispute brought by Panama (and to which the U.S. is a third party) entitled, "Colombia - Indicative Prices and Restrictions on Ports of Entry" (DS366). (Notice, dated 10/02/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/366arb2_e.htm)
14. Canadian Int'l Trade Tribunal Info. Processing Determination, Neg. Injury Finding for Waterproof Footwear
In the October 3, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal posted its determination that a complaint regarding information processing and related telecommunications services was valid. It also posted its finding that the dumping of waterproof footwear and waterproof footwear in nearly finished form from China and Vietnam, has not caused injury or retardation and is not threatening to cause injury.
15. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions and Announcements
FTZ 29 and 203: Applications for Subzone Authority; Dow Corning Corporation and REC Silicon.
16. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:
| Product: Reason | Company | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Halcyon Diving Equipment: Drowning Hazard | Halcyon Manufacturing Inc. (FL) | 10-002 |
| Paula Deen Hammered Cast Iron Cookware: Burn and Laceration Hazards | QVC Inc. (PA) | 10-701 |
(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereloct09.html)
17. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Italy Agricultural News for Italy and the EU - September 2009: Agriculture in the News
Italy Exporter Guide Annual: Road Map to the Italian Market
China Change in Food Additive Scope and Use: FAIRS Subject Report
Burma Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - August: Grain and Feed
China MOH Circular on Food Safety Law: FAIRS Subject Report
Senegal Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative: FAIRS Country Report
Italy Fine Wines and Parmesan Cheese as Bank Collateral: Agriculture in the Economy
China South China - maker of denim dreams: Market Development Reports
China Rules for New Food-Related Products: FAIRS Subject Report
China Risk Levels for Trade of Animal Feed and Feed Additives: FAIRS Subject Report
18. Agency Seeks 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):
Agency Information Collection Comments Due
| CBP1 | Application-Permit-Special License Unlading-Lading-Overtime Services (Form 3171) | 11/30/09 |
| CBP2 | Guarantee of Payment (Form I-510) | 12/01/09 |
| CBP3 | Delivery Ticket (Form 6043) | 12/04/09 |
(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)