Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senator Calls for Redoubling of Efforts to Open Markets to U.S. Beef

2. Senator Reminds Commerce Secretary of Brazil's Ethanol Access to U.S. Market

Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, sent a letter to the Commerce Secretary reminding him that Brazil already can export its ethanol to the U.S. duty-free under a carve-out in the Caribbean Basin Initiative. The letter was in response to the Secretary's comments that the ethanol tariff will be discussed in his upcoming meeting with Brazilian officials. (Press release available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2008/prg100708d.pdf.)

3. USDA's Nat'l Organic Program List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances Amended

The Agricultural Marketing Service published a final rule, effective November 3, 2008, amending the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances regulations to enact recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture by the National Organic Standards Board. The amendments pertain to the continued exemption (use) and prohibition of 12 substances in organic production and handling. (D/N AMS-TM-07-0124; TM-07-12FR, FR Pub 10/09/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24114.pdf )

4. U.S. Reaches Aviation Agreements with Vietnam, Armenia

The U.S. and Vietnam have agreed to remove restrictions on air cargo services between the two countries. The U.S. has also concluded a full Open-Skies agreement with Armenia. (DOT release 104-08, dated 10/07/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot14808.htm )

5. Freight Transportation Services Index Fell in August 2008

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics announced that the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 1.9% in August from its July level, declining after four consecutive monthly increases. (BTS data available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2008/bts048_08/html/bts048_08.html )

6. Florida Electronics Wholesaler Settles Export Allegations

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a press release announcing that America II Electronics, Inc., an electronics wholesaler based in St. Petersburg, Florida, has agreed to pay a $170,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it exported certain electronic components from the U.S. to Russia in violation of the Export Administration Regulations. (BIS release dated 10/06/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2008/bis_press10062008_b.htm )

7. Property of Add'l Entities, Individuals Blocked Pursuant to Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Act

The Office of Foreign Assets Control published the names of six additional entities and ten additional individuals whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. (FR Pub 10/09/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24011.pdf )

8. OFAC Unblocks Property of 3 Individuals Under Trafficking EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control published the name of three individuals whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers. (FR Pub 10/09/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24010.pdf )

9. Denial of Export Privileges for Philip Cheng

After receiving notice of Philip Cheng's conviction for violating the Arms Export Control Act, etc., the Bureau of Industry and Security has decided to deny Cheng's export privileges under the Export Administration Regulations until December 3, 2015, which is a period of eight years from the date of Cheng's conviction. (FR 10/09/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-23795.pdf )

10. Final Decision in BIS Temporary Denial of Export Privileges to Galaxy

BIS has issued its final decision and order denying the appeal of Galaxy Aviation Trade Co., Ltd. et. al, in a case involving a temporary denial of export privileges regarding a possible unauthorized reexport of a Boeing 747 aircraft to Iran. (FR Pub 10/09/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-23726.pdf)

11. FTZB Notices

The Foreign Trade Zone Board has issued the following:

Application for Subzone, Hoku Materials, Inc. (Polysilicon Manufacturing), Pocatello, Idaho

Grant of Authority for Subzone Status; Noramco, Inc. (Pharmaceutical Intermediates), Athens, GA

Termination of Foreign-Trade Subzone 61G, Carolina, Puerto Rico

12. 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):

TTB Information Collection (FR Pub 09/26/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22647.pdf

CPSC Information Collection (FR Pub 09/24/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22474.pdf

APHIS 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 09/23/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22193.pdf

APHIS 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 09/23/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22288.pdf