Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Title III of Farm Bill Enacted after Congress Overrides Presidential Veto

2. Oakland Port Committee to Consider "Air Quality Improvement" Cargo Fee

On June 19, 2008, the Port of Oakland Board of Harbor Commissioner's Maritime Committee has scheduled for discussion and possible action an Infrastructure and Air Quality Improvement Fee (cargo fee) on Container Cargo in the amount of $12.50 per loaded twenty food equivalent unit (TEU) and not more than $25 per loaded container, and authorization to amend certain port rates and charges. (Port of Oakland meeting agenda available at http://www.portofoakland.com/portnyou/agendas_08/mari080619.asp.)

3. House Committee Amends, Reports Rail Security Resolution

On June 17, 2008, the House Committee on Homeland Security reported an amended H. Res. 1150, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Transportation Security Administration should, in accordance with the congressional mandate provided for in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, enhance security against terrorist attack and other security threats to our Nation's rail and mass transit lines. (H. Res. 1150, available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:hr1150rh.txt.pdf)

4. NHTSA Announces Recall of 30 Rear-Facing Child Restraint Systems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is alerting consumers of a recall Chicco announced on June 2 recalling 18,000 Key Fit and KeyFit 30 car seat bases manufactured between February 26, 2008 and March 17, 2008. The bases covered by this recall are sold with the KeyFit, KeyFit 30, and Contina Travel System as well as separately. (NHTSA, dated 06/12/08, available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=218a2bc586d7a110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2008)

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

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted an updated "Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory," a listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by FSIS. (Inspection directory, dated 06/12/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/MPI_Directory_Establishment_Name.pdf)

6. OFAC Updates SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control posted the June 18, 2008 version of its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. On June 13th, OFAC added the Revival of Islamic Heritage Society to its list. (List available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn/t11sdn.pdf)

7. TSA Updates its TWIC Quarterly Deployment Plan

The Transportation Security Administration has updated its Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) quarterly deployment plan. (TWIC quarterly deployment plan, updated 06/17/08, available at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/twicquarterlydeploymentschedule.pdf)

8. Americas Competitiveness Forum on August 17-19

The Americas Competitiveness Forum will be held August 17-19, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Forum will provide an opportunity for governments, the business community, and representatives from academia and non-governmental organizations to discuss actions that can be taken to improve competitiveness and economic prosperity in the Americas. (Forum information available at http://www.competitivenessforum.com/)

9. EC Commissioner to Host Conference on Postal Market Reform

The European Union has issued a press release announcing that on June 24, 2008, European Commission Internal Market and Services Commissioner McCreevy will host a high-level conference on postal market reform: "The EU Internal Market for Postal Services - creating it together." The conference will mark the start of the final and decisive phase of EU postal market reform and is the EC's immediate follow-up on the adoption of the new Postal Directive 2008/6/EC earlier this year. (EU, dated 06/13/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/928&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

10. EC Posts Trade Agenda for EU-U.S. Summit

The EC has posted the June 10th agenda for the EU-U.S. Summit, which covered a number of important trade issues, such as the state of the Doha Round, the work of the Transatlantic Economic Council, etc. (EC, dated 06/10/08, available at http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/usa/pr100608_en.htm)

11. Japan Minister's Statement on AD Zeroing Negotiations under WTO

Japan's Minister of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has issued a statement regarding World Trade Organization negotiations on antidumping, including the issue of zeroing. (METI, dated 05/30/08, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/external_economy/trade/wto/080530.html)

12. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued one 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 06/04/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12502.pdf