Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release welcoming Mexico's February 26, 2007 announcement that it had requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement consultations with China on prohibited subsidies. The press release notes that Mexico is joining the U.S. in challenging China's provision of certain subsidies that appear to be inconsistent with its WTO commitments. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/22/07 news, 07022210, for BP summary of a U.S. request for WTO consultations with China regarding such subsidies.) (USTR press release, dated 02/28/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/February/Schwab_Welcomes_Mexicos_Support_in_China_Subsidies_Action_printer.html.)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
1. U.S. Welcomes Mexico's Support in WTO China Subsidies Action
2. State Dept Held Open Meeting of Defense Trade Advisory Group March 21
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) was to meet in open session on March 21, 2007 in Washington, DC. According to the State Dept., the membership of the DTAG consists of private sector defense trade specialists, appointed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, who advise the State Dept. on policies, regulations, and technical issues affecting defense trade, and the purpose of the meeting was to discuss current defense trade issues and topics for further study. (Public Notice 5692, FR Pub 03/07/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-4046.pdf)
3. APHIS Prohibits Distribution/Planting of Certain CL131 Rice Seeds
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a press release announcing that it has confirmed the presence of trace levels of genetic material not yet approved for commercialization in Clearfield 131 (CL131) rice seed. APHIS states that based on these test results, further distribution or planting of 2005, 2006, or 2007 registered or certified CL131 seed is prohibited. (APHIS press release, dated 03/09/07, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2007/03/CL131update3-9-07.shtml)
4. Agriculture Secretary Signs Agricultural Framework Agreement with UN
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a press release announcing that on March 14, 2007, the Agriculture Secretary and the Director of the United Nations' (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed a Framework Agreement to coordinate technical assistance between USDA and the FAO. According to the USDA, the agreement will help to address issues important to agriculture, such as chronic hunger, plant and animal diseases including avian influenza, conservation, genetic resources and the growing demand for renewable energy resources. (USDA press release no. 0064.07, dated 03/14/07, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2007/03/0064.xml)
5. OFAC Publishes Enforcement Information for March 2, 2007
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a notice announcing the following enforcement information for March 2, 2007:
| Entity/Individual | Penalty | Action/Violation/Alleged Violation |
|---|---|---|
| Guidant Corporation | $277,017 | Exporting and providing training for vascular intervention and cardiac surgery business units for the ultimate resale to Iran and Iraq without an OFAC license or outside the scope of its license |
| Varian, Inc. | $114,958 | Exporting U.S. origin software without an OFAC license or outside the scope of its license |
| Coda International Tours, Inc. | $3,500 | Providing travel services to Cuba without an OFAC license |
(OFAC notice available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/civpen/penalties/03092007.pdf)
6. CBP Re-Accredits/Re-Approves Three Companies as Commercial Gaugers & Laboratories
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued three notices stating that it has re-accredited and re-approved the following companies as commercial gaugers and laboratories (effective date and next triennial inspection date are also listed):
| Company | Effective Date | Next Triennial Inspection Date |
| - Camin Cargo Control Inc. | August 22, 2006 | August 2009 |
| - Inspectorate America Corporation | September 6, 2006 | September 2009 |
| - Thionville Surveying Co., Inc. | June 23, 2005 | June 2008 |
(CBP Decs. 07-06, 07-07, and 07-08, FR Pub 03/21/07 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-5098.pdf and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-5105.pdf)
7. CBP Re-Approves Petrospect, Inc. as Commercial Gauger
CBP has issued a notice stating that it has re-approved Petrospect, Inc., of Honolulu, Hawaii, as a commercial gauger, effective August 22, 2006. CBP adds that the next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for August 2009. (CBP Dec 07-10, FR Pub 03/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-5100.pdf)
8. CBP Re-Accredits R. Markey & Sons, Inc. as a Commercial Laboratory
CBP has issued a notice stating that it has re-accredited R. Markey & Sons, Inc., of New York, New York, as a commercial laboratory, effective February 15, 2005. CBP adds that the next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for February 2008. (CBP Dec. 07-09, FR Pub 03/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-5106.pdf
10. 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 (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| EPA 1 | Information Requirements for Importation of Nonconforming Vehicles (Renewal) | 04/18/07 |
| APHIS | U.S. Origin Health Certificate | 05/18/07 |
| EPA 2 | Compliance Requirement for Child-Resistant Packaging | 05/21/07 |
| FDA 1 | Generic Food and Drug Administration Rapid Response Surveys | 05/21/07 |
| FDA 2 | Threshold of Regulation for Substances Used in Food-Contact Articles | 04/23/07 |
(EPA 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 03/19/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-4929.pdf
(APHIS Information Collection, FR Pub 03/19/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-4918.pdf
(EPA 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 03/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-4925.pdf
(FDA 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 03/22/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-5195.pdf
(FDA 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 03/22/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-5196.pdf