Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are seeking applications for the 2008 Goods Movement Emissions Reduction Program. Under this Proposition 1B program, port truckers who own qualifying trucks are eligible to receive up to $50,000 in state funds to partially fund the replacement of their older trucks. (Announcement SPBP-PA001, dated 08/01/08, available at http://www.polb.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=5449)
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1. LA/LB Announce Availability of Proposition 1B Truck Grants
2. Port of LA Says Its Clean Trucks Program Will Go Forward
The Port of Los Angeles issued a news release stating that it is committed to the Clean Trucks Program, despite the American Trucking Association's (ATA) lawsuit challenging the Port's right to implement a concession requirement for entry onto Port terminals. The lawsuit does not attack other aspects of the Clean Truck Program. Even if the Court issues an injunction temporarily halting the concession requirement, the Port will move forward as planned with all other aspects of the Clean Trucks Program. (Press release, dated 08/05/08, at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/newsroom/2008_releases/news_080508ctpontrack-eng.pdf)
3. State Determines Colombia Armed Forces Meeting Human Rights Criteria
On July 28, 2008, the State Department determined and certified to Congress that the Colombian Armed Forces are meeting statutory criteria related to human rights. According to a State Department press release, this determination and certification permits the full balance of FY 2007 and FY 2008 funds designated for assistance to the Colombian Armed Forces to be obligated. (FR Pub 07/31/08, Public Notice 6305, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17680.pdf )
4. FDA Extends Consumer Warning on Certain Raw Peppers from Mexico
The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that both a sample of serrano pepper and a sample of irrigation water collected by FDA investigators on a farm in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico (business address is in Nuevo Leon, Mexico) contain Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint as the strain of bacteria that is causing the current outbreak in the U.S. As a result, until further notice, the FDA is advising consumers to avoid raw serrano peppers from Mexico, in addition to raw jalapeo peppers from Mexico, and any foods that contain them. (FDA statement, dated 07/30/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01869.html )
5. Application Date Extended for DR-CAFTA Business Delegation
The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing that the application deadline for the senior level U.S. business delegation to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, during September 28-October 4, 2008, to promote U.S. exports and investment has been extended to August 7, 2008. (ITA notice, FR Pub 08/04/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17752.pdf)
6. APHIS Reopens Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Animal Transport
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is reopening the comment period for its proposed rule that would amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations by adding minimum age requirements for the transport of animals in commerce. APHIS will consider all comments received on or before September 2, 2008. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/19/08 news, 08051999 9, for BP summary of proposed rule.)(FR Pub 07/31/08, D/N APHIS-2006-0024, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17591.pdf )
7. TSA Interim Final Rule on False Statements for Security Checks
The Transportation Security Administration issued an interim final rule, effective July 31, 2008, codifying in the Code of Federal Regulations recently-enacted statutory provisions that prohibit public transportation agencies, railroad carriers, and their respective contractors and subcontractors from knowingly misrepresenting Federal guidance or regulations concerning security background checks for certain individuals. (FR Pub 07/31/08, D/N TSA-2008-0011, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17515.pdf )
8. Baby Trend Recalls Child Safety Seats/Bases
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is alerting owners of Baby Trend child safety seats about a safety recall. The affected seats are: Magnum (model number 6439), Galaxy (model number 6481), Silverado (model number 6448); and the 6400S bases that were sold separately and manufactured between May 14, 2007, and April 1, 2008. (Advisory, dated 07/28/08, available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/)
9. CBSA Lays 78 Criminal Charges in Illegal Firearms Importations
The Canada Border Services Agency has just completed extensive investigations into the illegal importation and sale of replica firearms in the Lower Mainland. During the course of these investigations, the CBSA laid 78 criminal charges and seized over 800 replica firearms. (Press release, dated 08/01/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/media/prosecutions-poursuites/pac/2008-08-01-eng.html)
10. EO 12333 Amends Previous EO on U.S. Intelligence Activities
The President has issued Executive Order 12333 in order to update and clarify a previously issued EO (13355) on U.S. intelligence activities, including those carried out by the Department of Homeland Security. (FR Pub 08/04/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17940.pdf)
11. New Orleans Woman Sentenced for Aiding Unregistered Agent of China
The Justice Department reports that Yu Xin Kang of New Orleans, LA, was sentenced on August 1, 2008 in the Eastern District of Virginia to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release for aiding and abetting an unregistered agent of a foreign government, namely the People's Republic of China, in violation of 18 USC Sections 2 and 951. (Justice Dept., dated 08/01/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/August/08-nsd-681.html)
12. OFAC Notice on Transfer of FCSC-Certified Claims Against Cuba
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has been made aware of certain inquiries regarding issues related to the sale and/or purchase of claims against Cuba certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. OFAC states that it regards an FCSC-certified claim against Cuba as property in which Cuba has an interest, as defined in 31 CFR 515.311. Accordingly, the transfer of a certified Cuban claim is generally prohibited absent authorization by OFAC. (Notice, dated 07/29/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/cuba/fcsc.pdf)
13. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
FAS issued the following GAIN reports:
Bosnia-Hercegovina FAIRS Country Report: Annual
China FAIRS Product Specific: Standards for Feed and Feed Additive Inspection
European Union-27 FAIRS Country Report: Annual European Union Report
El Salvador FAIRS Country Report: Annual
Japan FAIRS Subject Report: Government of Japan Prepares Food Safety Proposals
Kenya FAIRS Country Report: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards
Nigeria FAIRS Country Report: Annual
Poland FAIRS Country Report: Country Specific Annual, see also EU-27 FAIRS from USEU Brussels
Russian Federation FAIRS Country Report: Annual
Thailand Biotechnology: Annual
Venezuela Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards: Annual
Brazil Oilseeds and Products: Oilseeds Update - July 2008
Thailand Grain and Feed: Weekly Rice Price Update
Venezuela Agricultural Situation: Food Industry Rejects Government Controls