Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Shippers' NewsWire reports that the in-coming chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Jim Oberstar, has expressed interest in instituting a federal tax on containers to help pay for security measures. Rep. Oberstar stated his belief that port security should have a revenue stream similar to the one currently in place for aviation security, which is partly funded by passenger fees. (American Shipper Pub 12/05/06, www.americanshipper.com)
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1. In-Coming Chairman of House Transport Committee Expresses Interest in Container Security Tax
2. WTO Secretariat Reports AD Investigations are Declining
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a press release announcing that, based on the latest available figures, in the period of January 1 - June 30, 2006, the number of initiations of new antidumping (AD) investigations continued to decline. However, the WTO notes that the number of new final measures increased relative to the corresponding period in 2005. (WTO press release, dated 11/27/06, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres06_e/pr458_e.htm)
3. CBP Reapproves Three Companies as Petroleum Commercial Gaugers and Laboratories
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued three notices of re-accreditation and re-approval for three companies to gauge petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes. The three companies and their re-approval effective dates are as follows:
Oiltest, Inc. of Thorofare, NJ (effective 06/13/06)
SGS North America Inc. of Bridgeport, NJ (effective 06/13/06)
SGS North America Inc. of Tampa, FL (effective 05/25/06)
(CBP Dec. 06-36, 06-37, and 06-38, FR Pub 12/05/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20488.pdf)
4. APHIS Deregulates Genetically Engineered Rice Which Inadvertently Entered Commercial Rice Market
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a news release announcing that it will deregulate genetically engineered LLRICE601 based on the fact that it is as safe as its traditionally bred counterparts. Recently, the genetically modified rice was found in the commercial U.S. rice market. The discovery prompted the EU to implement certain testing and certification requirements for imports of U.S. long grain rice in order to prevent entry of LLRICE601. (APHIS news release, dated 11/24/06, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2006/11/rice_deregulate.shtml)
5. 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 (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| APHIS 1 | Irradiation Phytosanitary Treatment for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables | 12/27/06 |
| APHIS 2 | Federal Plant Pest and Noxious Weeds Regulations | 12/27/06 |
| FAS | Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Regulation | 01/02/07 |
| FDA 1 | Food Labeling; Notification Procedures for Statements on Dietary Supplements | 01/02/07 |
| AMS | Export Fruit Regulations-Export Apple Act (7 CFR Part 33) and the Export Grape and Plum Act (7 CFR Part 35) | 01/30/07 |
| FDA 2 | Cosmetic Labeling Regulations-21 CFR Part 701 | 01/03/07 |
(APHIS 1 & 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 11/27/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19963.pdf
(FAS Information Collection, FR Pub 11/30/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20267.pdf
(FDA 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 12/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20307.pdf
(AMS Information Collection, FR Pub 12/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20395.pdf
(FDA 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 12/04/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20478.pdf )