Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Nat'l Retail Federation Urges Port of Oakland to Reject Container Fees

2. State Dept Approves Placing FDA Personnel in China, Kirk Presses CPSC to Follow Suit

According to Congressman Stephen Kirk's Web site, the State Department announced the approval of eight new U.S. direct-hire full-time permanent positions for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in China - four in Beijing, two in Shanghai and two in Guangzhou. Kirk, who had pressed the Chinese government and the U.S. Ambassador to China for the deployment, has also pressed for sending full time Consumer Product Safety Commission personnel to China. (Congressman Kirk's press release, dated 03/13/08, available at http://www.house.gov/list/press/il10_kirk/State_Department_FDA.html)

3. Alternative for Methyl Bromide Fumigation Not Yet Found

Pacific Shipper's Cool Cargoes reports that certain port operators have expressed that they want fumigation operations removed from ports, but the quest to find an alternative to methyl bromide treatment for wood packaging has yet to result in a new fumigation chemical that would be safe for the environment and the product. (Pacific Shipper, dated Spring 2008, www.pacificshipper.com)

4. EU Ban of Certain Cigarette Lighters Was Effective March 11th

The European Commission has issued a press release announcing that, on March 11, 2008, the European Commission Decision banning the sale of non-child resistant and novelty lighters to consumers was scheduled to enter into force. As of March 11, 2007, it was forbidden to place such lighters on the market or import them. (EC press release, dated 03/11/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/425&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

5. EC Recommends Negotiations with U.S. on Visa Waiver Program

The European Commission has issued a press release recommending that the Council open negotiations on an agreement between the European Community and the U.S. regarding certain conditions for access to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). (EC press release, dated 3/11/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/424&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

6. House Committee Letter Requests DHS Provide ASP Monitor Review

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell has written a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff requesting a public version of the Homeland Security Institute's review of the testing and performance of Advance Spectroscopic Portal (ASP) monitors being developed by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. (Letter, dated 03/11/08, available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.031108.Cherthoff.ltr.ASP.pdf)

7. U.S. Cotton Yarn Imports into China Continue to Weaken

China's Textile and Economic Information Web site reports that U.S. cotton yarn import demand has continued to deteriorate. January imports dropped to a new record low of only 3,505 tons, a 33% year-on-year loss. (CTEI, dated 03/14/08, available at http://news.ctei.gov.cn/e_show.asp?xx=6317)

8. Cubans Can Buy Computers, DVDs, and Video Players without Restrictions

Reuters reports that Cuba has authorized the unrestricted sale of computers and DVD and video players in the first sign that its new president, Raul Castro, is moving to improve Cubans' access to consumer goods. (Reuters, dated 03/13/08, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1329909720080313?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&rpc=22&sp=true)

9. BIS Announces New Address for Delivery of Materials Via Mail or Courier

The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted a notice to its Web site announcing that as of March 31, 2008, it will no longer accept materials sent to P.O. Box 273 in Washington, D.C. In lieu of sending materials to that address, BIS states that materials may be sent via mail or courier to: Room 2705, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. (BIS notice, dated 03/05/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/.)

10. Coast Guard Requesting Applications for NMSAC

The Coast Guard has issued a notice requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) to apply for appointment/reappointment. NMSAC provides advice and makes recommendations on national maritime security matters to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. EDT April 30, 2008. (Coast Guard notice, D/N USCG-2008-0166, FR Pub 03/17/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5322.pdf)

11. FSIS Posts Updated Meat/Poultry/Egg Inspection Directory

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted an updated version of its "Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory," a listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by FSIS. (FSIS, updated 03/12/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Meat_Poultry_Egg_Inspection_Directory/index.asp)

12. State Dept Announces U.S.-Croatia Open Skies Framework Agreement

The State Department has issued a press release reporting that the U.S. and Croatia have reached agreement on a comprehensive Open Skies framework expanding and liberalizing their bilateral civil aviation relations. The agreement was initialed on March 13, 2008. (State press release, dated 03/13/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/mar/102222.htm)

13. DOT Study of Potential Environmental Impacts on Transportation Infrastructure

The Department of Transportation has issued a press release announcing that it has released a study on the potential impacts of climate changes and land subsidence, the natural sinking of an area's land mass, on transportation infrastructure in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. This release is phase one of a three part study and provides an assessment of the vulnerabilities of transportation systems in the region to potential changes in weather patterns and related impacts, as well as the effect of natural land subsidence and other environmental factors in the region. (DOT 36-08 press release with link to the study, dated 03/12/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot3608.htm)

14. Man Pleads Guilty to Supplying India with Controlled Technology

The Justice Department has issued a press release announcing that the owner of an international electronics business, Parthasarathy Sudarshan, has pleaded guilty in a conspiracy to illegally export controlled microprocessors and electronic components to government entities in India that participate in the development of ballistic missiles, space launch vehicles, and fighter jets. (DOJ press release, dated 03/13/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/March/08_nsd_204.html)

15. FAS Conducted Agribusiness Trade Mission to West/Central Africa Region

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a press release announcing that it conducted an Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission to the West and Central Africa Region from March 10-14, 2008. Participant countries included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The mission's main objective was to promote U.S.-Africa agribusiness cooperation, trade, and investment. (FAS press release, dated 03/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/AfricaTradeMission2008/index.asp)

16. FAS Launches Expanded Database for Chemical Residue Limits

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a press release announcing that it has launched an expanded online Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) database to include 426 pesticide and veterinary drug residue tolerances in major export markets for hay, feed, grains, oilseeds, poultry, eggs, meat and dairy. The database is a reference tool for researching U.S. and foreign maximum residue limits for chemicals in raw agricultural commodities. (FAS press release with a link to the MRL database, dated 03/07/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0047-08)

17. FSIS Updates Lists of Plants Certified to Export Meat, Etc. to U.S.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has updated its lists of eligible foreign establishments certified to export meat, poultry, and/or egg products to the U.S. for the following countries: Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Romania. (Lists, updated 03/06/08, 03/07/08, and 03/17/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Eligible_Foreign_Establishments/index.asp)

18. FSIS Posts Reports from Recent Codex Committee Sessions

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted delegate reports regarding the following recent Codex meetings: 1st Session of the Task Force on the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods and 8th session of the Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products. (Highlights for both meetings available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Delegate_Report_1QFF/index.asp and http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Delegate_Report_8CCMMP/index.asp)

19. OFAC Publishes Enforcement Information for March 7th

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice announcing the following enforcement information for March 7, 2008: