Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Los Angeles Times reports that siding with business and shipping, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill on September 22, 2006 that would have assessed $60 for a typical 40-foot container. The collected fees would have been used to fund improvements in security, expand rail networks and reduce air pollution at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. (LA Times, dated 09/23/06, available at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-port23sep23,1,1267015.story?coll=la-headlines-business )
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1. Schwarzenegger Vetoes Fee on Cargo Containers
2. WTO Panel Finds for U.S. in "Zeroing" AD Dispute with Japan
According to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), a World Trade Organization (WTI) panel has found in favor of the U.S. on Japan's challenge to the U.S.' use in antidumping (AD) administrative reviews of "zeroing" - a technique used in measuring alleged incidents of selling below fair value, or dumping. (USTR release, dated 09/20/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/September/WTO_Panel_Finds_for_United_States_in_Zeroing_Dispute_with_Japan.html )
3. Canadian House of Commons Passes Softwood Lumber Agreement
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a statement announcing that the Canadian House of Commons adopted a motion that will allow Canada to implement the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA). According to the USTR, the House of Commons' action brings the SLA one step closer to entering into force. (USTR Statement, dated 09/19/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/September/Schwab_Pleased_by_Canadian_Action_taken_on_Softwood_Lumber_Agreement.html)
4. AMS Requests Comments on Proposed Revisions to Pineapple Grade Standards
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a notice soliciting comments by November 20, 2006 on possible revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pineapples. (AMS notice, D/N FV-06-318, FR Pub 09/21/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-7820.pdf)
5. APHIS Final Rule Allows Importation of Fresh Table Grapes from Namibia
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective October 23, 2006, amending the fruits and vegetables regulations, at 7 CFR 305 and 319, to allow the importation of fresh table grapes from Namibia under certain conditions. APHIS states that as a condition of entry, among other things, the grapes must undergo cold treatment and fumigation with methyl bromide and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the commodity has been inspected and found free of the specified pests. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/18/06 news, 06071899 6, for BP summary of the June 26, 2006 proposed rule.) (D/N APHIS-2006-0025, FR Pub 09/21/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-7891.pdf)
6. FMC List OTI Applications
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued one notice listing those applying for Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
| Applications |
| NVOCC OTI applicants: |
| A C H Freight Forwarding Inc. (NY) |
| Freightsolutions LLC dba Santa Cruz Ocean dba Freight Solutions (FL) |
| Ariel Cargo Export, Inc. (FL) |
| FF/OTI applicants: |
| Integrated Logistics 2000, LLC dba IL2000 (VA) |
FMC notice (FR Pub 06/14/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9274.pdf)