Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

July 28, 2008 |Top News

On July 28, 2008, Director-General Pascal Lamy reported that negotiators have registered very important progress...there is now a very high level of convergence on many subjects". He urged negotiators to accelerate movement towards compromises in the coming hours, adding that he aims to issue revised "modality" texts on agriculture and non-agricultural market access later in the day. (WTO notice available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm.)

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1. WTO Head Urges Compromise on Doha Negotiations

On July 26, 2008, after a new set of compromise numbers was circulated to WTO members, all speakers said it would be painful to accept but several said members should do so nonetheless. (WTO notice available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/meet08_summary_26july_e.htm.)

2. Transportation Public-Private Partnerships Rise to Record Levels

According to a new Department of Transportation study, the number of public-private partnerships in the U.S. transportation sector has soared to record levels in recent years and continues to climb. The new report found that more transportation public-private partnerships were completed over the last three years than in any other compatible time period in history. According to the report, more than 20 major highway and transit projects are currently being conducted in partnership with the private sector at various stages of development in the U.S. (DOT press release FHWA 14-08, dated 07/22/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/fhwa1508.htm.)

3. DHS, State Dept Announce New Passport Card is in Full Production

The State Department and the Department of Homeland Security announced that the new U.S. Passport Card is in full production and is now being distributed. The Passport Card is a convenient, wallet-sized document for land and sea travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It is not valid for international travel by air. (DHS dated 07/22/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1216743005370.shtm.)

4. WCO Courses on HS General Rules and High-Tech Products

The World Customs Organization is offering a course in Brussels, October 14 - 15, 2008 for the private sector entitled "Application of the Harmonized System General Interpretative Rules." The course includes both the October face-to-face session and e-learning modules. WCO notes that those who combine this training with the HS on High-Tech Products training course will receive a "coupling offer." (WCO course flyer available at http://www.premierairtime.com/mailing/campaigns/GIR2008-2/GIR2008-2.html.)

5. EPA Releases NAFTA Working Group Strategy on Pesticides

The Environmental Protection Agency is releasing for public comment the proposed Five-Year Strategy, 2008-2013, of the North American Free Trade Agreement Technical Working Group on Pesticides. In this document, the Working Group states its goal to create an aligned North American registration system for pesticides and products treated with pesticides and make work-sharing a way of doing business. Comments must be received on or before August 18, 2008. (EPA notice, FR Pub 07/23/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16381.htm.)

6. House Homeland Security Committee Reports H.R. 4806

On July 24, 2008, the House Homeland Security Committee reported H.R. 4806, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to prevent the over-classification of homeland security and other information and to promote the sharing of unclassified homeland security and other information, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-776). (Congressional Record, dated 07/24/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080724).)

7. House Homeland Security Committee Reports H.R. 5983

On July 24, 2008, the House Homeland Security Committee reported H.R. 5983, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the information security of the Department of Homeland Security, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-777).

(Congressional Record, dated 07/24/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080724).)

8. House Committee Concludes Hearing on Commercial Driver Health

On July 24, 2008, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure concluded its hearing on FMCSA's Progress in Improving Medical Oversight of Commercial Drivers after hearing testimony from various witnesses. (Congressional Record, dated 07/24/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080724).)

9. Senator Announces Webinar on Ethanol

Senator Lugar announced that the International Trade Administration has organized a free webinar titled, "Improving your bottom line with ethanol," on August 12, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The web-based seminar will provide U.S. petroleum retailers with information on the current market for E-85, ethanol conversion logistics and government programs that advance E-85 distribution within the U.S. (Press release, dated 07/24/08, available at http://lugar.senate.gov/press/record.cfm?id=301249&&year=2008.)

10. New Members Appointed to Manufacturing Council

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gutierrez announced the new membership of the U.S. Manufacturing Council, including a new chairman and vice-chair. (ITA press release, dated 07/22/08, available at http://www.trade.gov/press/press_releases/2008/manufacturing_072208.asp.)

11. OFAC Posts Guidance on Legal Fees/Costs Policy

The Office of Foreign Assets Control posted a guidance entitled "Guidance on the Release of Limited Amounts of Blocked Funds for Payment of Legal Fees and Costs Incurred in Challenging the Blocking of U.S. Persons in Administrative or Civil Proceedings." (OFAC notice available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/licensing/guidance/legal_fee_guide.pdf.)

12. EPA Announces Clean Diesel Emerging Technology Grant Funding

The EPA plans to award approximately $3.4 million in grants to establish projects using emerging technologies to reduce emissions from the U.S.' existing fleet of diesel engines. This sum was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and funded for the first time this fiscal year. (EPA press release, dated 07/21/08, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/dc57b08b5acd42bc852573c90044a9c4/63c6cf738e1341b68525748d0052dce5!OpenDocument.)

13. FTC Denies Petition on Cultured Gemstones

The Federal Trade Commission has denied a petition regarding use of the term "cultured" to describe laboratory-created gemstones that was submitted by the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) and 10 other jewelry industry trade associations. (FTC press release, dated 07/22/08, available at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/jvc.shtm.)

14. French Corp Sentenced for Role in Conspiracy to Export Cryogenic Submersible Pumps

The Justice Department reports that Cryostar SAS, formerly known as Cryostar France (CRYOSTAR), a French corporation, headquartered in Hesingue, France, was sentenced to a criminal fine of $500,000 and corporate probation of two years for its role in a conspiracy to export cryogenic submersible pumps to Iran without an export license. (Justice press release, dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/dc/Press_Releases/2008%20Archives/July/08-175.html.)

15. Texas Companies Recall Certain Peppers, Etc.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued information about the following recalls: Agricola Zaragoza, Inc. of McAllen, TX is recalling Jalapeno Peppers distributed since June 30th, 2008 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella; and Grande Produce, LTD. CO of Hidalgo, TX is recalling Jalepeno Peppers and Serrano Peppers distributed between May 17th and July 17th, 2008; and Avocados, all sizes, with lot HUE08160090889 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

16. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Plant Lists, Eligible Foreign Establishments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for the following countries Taiwan (beef, poultry, pork, duck) and El Salvador(beef, poultry). FSIS has also updated the list of U.S. plants approved to exporttoMexico (meat and poultry). In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Canada certified to export meat, poultry and egg products to the U.S.

17. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

FAS issued the following GAIN reports: