Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

The Port of Long Beach reports that the governing board of the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) Joint Powers Authority (JPA) will meet on September 3, 2008 in Wilmington, CA. The agenda will include a number of items related to a proposed ICTF modernization project. The meeting is open to the public and attendees are welcome to address the Board during the comment period. LB port notice available at http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=430&targetid=1. LA port’s agenda for meeting available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/Board/2008/September/jpa_agenda_090308.pdf.

2. President Continues September 11th/Terrorism Emergency

The President has sent a letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate stating that he is continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. of September 11, 2001. (Letter, dated 08/28/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/20080828-6.html)

3. BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for June 2008

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics released the North American surface trade numbers for June 2008: trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, was 6.6% higher in June 2008 than in June 2007, reaching $74.1 billion. (BTS press release, dated 08/28/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/bts4208.htm)

4. TSA Posts TWIC Quarterly Deployment Plan

The Transportation Security Administration posted its latest (as of August 28, 2008) Transportation Worker Identification Credential quarterly deployment plan. (TSA deployment plan (dated 08/28/08) available at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/twicquarterlydeploymentschedule.pdf)

5. APHIS Removes Panama from Lists of Regions Where Screwworm is Considered to Exist

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective September 29, 2008, amending the regulations regarding the importation of live horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs by removing Panama from the lists of regions where screwworm is considered to exist. (APHIS final rule, D/N APHIS--2007--0141, FR Pub 08/29/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20116.pdf)

6. Individual Designated as a Specifically Designated Global Terrorist

Secretary of State Rice has determined that Joseph Kony has committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the U.S. and has named him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. (State Dept. notice, Public Notice 6337, FR Pub 08/29/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20164.pdf)

7. BIS' Transportation & Related Equipment Advisory to Meet

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice announcing that the Transportation and Related Equipment Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on September 11, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. in Washington, DC. (BIS notice, FR Pub 08/29/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20180.pdf)

8. President Says Export of Mill to China Will Not Improve Its Launch Capabilities

The President has sent a letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate stating that the export to China of one two-inch fluid energy mill for the research and development of pharmaceutical powders and ten accelerometers for incorporation into railway geometry measurement systems is not detrimental to the U.S space launch industry, and that the material and equipment, including any indirect technical benefit that could be derived from such exports, will not measurably improve the missile or space launch capabilities of China. (Letter, dated 08/28/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/20080828-8.html)

9. OFAC Targets Rising Colombian Narcotics Traffickers, Etc.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated two Colombian individuals, Jesus Maria Alejandro Sanchez Jimenez and Rafael Angel Sanchez Rua, as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs) pursuant to Executive Order 12978. OFAC also designated as SDNTs two other individuals and four entities located in Colombia. Sanchez Jimenez and Sanchez Rua are among those who have inherited the drug trafficking organization once led by SDNT principal Carlos Mario Jimenez Naranjo (alias "Macaco"), who is now in U.S. custody. (OFAC press release, dated 08/28/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1119.htm and OFAC notice on recent additions/deletions to its SDN list (dated 08/28/08) available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080828.shtml)

10. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

· Russian Federation Biotechnology: Annual

· Poland Biotechnology: Poland publishes new draft law on cultivation

· Poland FAIRS Country Report: Country Specific Annual, see also EU-27 FAIRS from USEU Brussels

· India Agricultural Situation: Monsoon Update (8)

· India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, #34

· Guatemala FAIRS Country Report: Annual Report

· Germany HRI Food Service Sector: Food Service Sector in Germany

· El Salvador FAIRS Country Report: Annual

· EU-27 Livestock and Products: Annual

· Croatia FAIRS Country Report: Annual

· China Agricultural Situation: Weekly Hongbao

· China Agricultural Situation: Weekly Hongbao

· Canada Agricultural Situation: This Week in Canadian Agriculture, Issue 24

· Bosnia-Hercegovina FAIRS Country Report: Annual

· Australia Livestock and Products: Livestock Annual

11. CBSA Statement of Reasons on Certain Coolers, Warmers from China

The Canada Border Services Agency posted its statement of reasons concerning its preliminary determinations of dumping and subsidizing respecting thermoelectric containers that provide cooling and/or warming with the use of a passive heat sink and a thermoelectric module, excluding liquid dispensers, originating in or exported from China. (Statement of Reasons, dated 08/28/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1372/ad1372-i08-pd-eng.pdf)

12. CBSA Posts Revised D-Memoranda

The CBSA has posted revised versions of the following D-Memoranda:

· D14-1-2: Disclosure of Normal Values, Export Prices, and Amounts of Subsidy Established Under the Special Import Measures Act to Importers

· D15-2-51: Certain Seamless Carbon or Alloy Steel Oil and Gas Well Casing Originating in or Exported from China

13. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

USDA Information Collection (FR Pub 08/15/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18927.pdf

ITA Information Collection (FR Pub 08/11/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18452.pdf

APHIS 1,2, and 3 Information Collection (FR Pub 08/18/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-19092.pdf