Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senate Subcommittee Considers Restrictions on Asbestos-Containing Products

2. LA, Mexico Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Trade, Etc.

The CalTrade Report reports that the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote business collaboration, international trade and investment between Los Angeles and Mexico, the first formal collaborative partnership between Los Angeles-area and Mexican business organizations. (CalTrade Report, dated 03/11/08, available at http://www.caltradereport.com/eWebPages/front-page-1205009298.html)

3. CARB to Regulate Ozone-Generating Air Purifiers, Cleaning Devices

The California Air Resources Board issued a press release stating that the sale of air purifiers or air cleaning devices that intentionally generate ozone will be regulated by the CARB beginning in early 2008 with devices being tested to assure they do not emit harmful levels of ozone. Testing of air cleaners by certified laboratories, however, is expected to take up to two years, during which time such devices can continue to be sold. (CARB, dated 12/17/07, available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr121707.htm)

4. FMCSA Updates List of Carriers Eligible to Participate in Cross-Border Pilot

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted a notice to its Web site providing an updated list of Mexican-domiciled and U.S.-domiciled motor carriers that have been granted authority to participate in the U.S.-Mexico cross-border pilot program. (FMCSA notice, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/cross-border/cross-border-carriers.htm)

5. Ministers Responsible for SPP Issue Joint Statement on Meetings

The ministers responsible for the Security and Prosperity Partnership for North America have issued a joint statement announcing that in preparation for the leaders' meeting that will be held in New Orleans, LA on April 21-22, 2008, the ministers met to review progress on the five priorities identified by leaders in Montebello and to discuss cooperative approaches to common challenges and opportunities. (Joint statement available at http://www.spp.gov/docs/Final_Joint_Statement.doc)

6. FAS Report on Hong Kong's Proposed Pesticide Regulation

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued an attach report which states that Hong Kong was inviting comments on its proposed regulation for pesticide residues in food before January 31, 2008. The proposal has some favorable signs, as it includes all U.S. allowed pesticides, plans to develop a "default value" for pesticide residues without specified maximum residue limits (MRLs), and to draw reference from pesticide regulations of key produce supplying countries such as the U.S. to develop a list of "exempted substances." (Attach report, released 02/29/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cots/attache.html)

7. Japan Highlights Local Efforts to Reduce Plastic Shopping Bag Use

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has issued a press release highlighting regional efforts to reduce plastic shopping bag use under its 2007 Containers and Packaging Recycling Law. (METI press release, dated 03/04/08, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/newtopics/data/nBackIssue20080304_03.html)

8. FAS Issues Semi Annual Attach Report on China Covering Beef, Pork, Etc.

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued its semi-annual attach report on China which states, among other things, that it is uncertain when China will lift its BSE-related import ban on U.S. beef and beef products; that China's beef exports are forecast to fall by four% to 78,000 MT because of short supplies and the appreciating Renminbi; and that pork production is expected to grow from 2007's blue ear disease-affected drop by one percent to 42 MMT. (Attach report, released 03/06/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scripts/gd.asp?ID=146293828)

9. AMS Grants Protection to 14 New Plant Varieties Including Barley, Pea, Etc.

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. Department of Commerce has issued certificates of protection to developers of 14 new varieties of seed-reproduced and tuber-propagated plants. They include barley, bean, clover, pea and wheat. (AMS, dated 03/03/08, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/016-08.htm)

10. FSIS Posts Revised Export Requirements/Plant Lists for Canada, Japan, Australia, Etc.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted recently revised export requirements for Canada, Japan, Cuba, and Vietnam and newly revised Plant Lists for Mexico and Australia. (FSIS Export Requirements and Plant Lists, updated 02/26/08 through 03/04/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp)

11. ITA's Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee to Hold Open Meetings

The International Trade Administration has announced that its Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee will be holding open meetings on April 23, 2008 in Washington, DC and on May 8, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The committee provides advice and guidance to ITA officials on the identification and surmounting of barriers to the expansion of textile exports, and on methods of encouraging textile firms to participate in export expansion. (ITA notice, FR Pub 03/03/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4049.pdf)

12. Int'l Boundary and Water Commission Announces Availability of Impact Statement

The U.S. Section, International Boundary and Water Commission has issued a notice announcing the availability of a final programmatic environmental impact statement for long-term improvements to the USIBWC Rio Grande flood control projects along the Texas-Mexico border. (USIBWC notice, FR Pub 03/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-3999.pdf)

13. GSA Proposes to Amend FTR to Incorporate U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement

The General Services Administration has issued a proposed rule to amend the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) provisions pertaining to the use of U.S. Flag air carriers under the provisions of the "Fly America Act." This proposed rule would incorporate language based on the U.S. and European Union "Open Skies" Air Transport Agreement. Comments must be received on or before April 3, 2008. (GSA proposed rule, FTR Amendment 2008-01; D/N 2008-0002, Sequence 1, FR Pub 03/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-3970.pdf)

14. OFAC Designates 2 Entities under Burma EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of two newly-designated entities whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13448 of October 18, 2007, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Burma." (OFAC notice, FR Pub 03/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-891.pdf)

15. President Continues National Emergency with Respect to Zimbabwe

On March 4, 2008, the President issued a notice continuing for one year the national emergency blocking the property of persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe. This emergency was originally declared in Executive Order 13288 on March 6, 2003. (Presidential documents, FR Pub 03/05/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-980.pdf)

16. USTR Statement on Tribunal's SLA 2006 Dispute Decision

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted a statement regarding the decision of the London Court of International Arbitration tribunal in a dispute under the 2006 U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement. This arbitration concerns Canada's implementation of the SLA 2006's surge mechanism and calculation of quota volumes. The tribunal agreed with the U.S. that Canada violated the SLA by failing to properly adjust the quota volumes of the Eastern Canadian provinces in the first six months of 2007 to account for rapidly changing market conditions. However, the tribunal disagreed with the U.S. in finding that the same adjustment is not required for the Western provinces. (USTR statement, dated 03/04/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/March/asset_upload_file97_14550.pdf)