Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S. Plans for Container Security Angers EU

2. House Passes Farm Bill Which Includes Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for Fruit, Vegetables, and Meat

On July 27, 2007, the House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). According to a House Agriculture Committee press release, H.R. 2419 would, among other things, implement mandatory country of origin labeling for fruit, vegetables, and meat. According to the Washington Post, the White House has threatened to veto H.R. 2419. House Agriculture Committee press release (dated 07/27/07) available at http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/agriculture_dem/pr_072707_FarmBillPassesHouse.html and Washington Post article (dated 07/28/07) available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072700350.html?sub=AR.)

3. Senate Passes FY 2008 DHS Appropriations Bill

On July 26, 2007, the Senate amended and passed H.R. 2638, the fiscal year (FY) 2008 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The House passed its own version of H.R. 2638 on June 15, 2007. (Congressional Record, dated 07/26/07, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20070726).)

4. Antigua Asks WTO Authorization of $3.4 Billion in Sanctions Against U.S.

MSNBC reports that the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda recently asked the World Trade Organization to authorize $3.4 billion in commercial sanctions against the U.S. for its failure to comply with the WTO ruling against its Internet gambling restrictions. The U.S., which is in the process of rewriting its WTO obligations to remove online gambling from its commitments, has challenged Antigua's right to retaliate and questioned the excessive amount. (MSNBC, dated 07/24/07, available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19934309/)

5. Levi Strauss Suing Polo Ralph Lauren for Copying Its "Arcuate" Design

According to CNN, Levi Straus Strauss & Co. is suing Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. for allegedly copying the denim maker's trademarked pocket stitching "arcuate" design, which is the oldest known apparel trademark in the U.S. (CNN, dated 07/24/07, available at http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/24/news/companies/levi_polo/index.htm?postversion=2007072418)

6. China to Tighten Control of Chemicals in Fish, Crustaceans

MSNBC reports that China will step up inspections on the use of antibiotics in fish farms, including chemicals that can cause cancer, after contaminants caused trading partners to block its seafood exports. An official at the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture added that China is focusing on getting a hold on antibiotic use, especially overuse of antibiotics on fish and crustaceans. (MSNBC, dated 07/25/07, available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19954630/)

7. China, U.S. Crack Alleged Software Piracy Rings

The Los Angeles Times reports that Chinese and U.S. officials have announced that Chinese police have busted up two criminal organizations and seized pirated software worth half a billion dollars, the culmination of two years of work with the FBI. The gangs pirated Microsoft Corp. and Symantec Corp. software and sold it around the world, including in the U.S. (LA Times, dated 07/25/07, available at http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-micro25jul25,1,1877569.story?track=rss)

8. APHIS Final Rule Removes Certain Livestock Testing Exportation Reqs

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective August 22, 2007, that amends the livestock exportation regulations to eliminate the requirement for pre-export tuberculosis and brucellosis testing of certain cattle being exported to countries that do not require such testing. APHIS states that this action will facilitate the exportation of certain cattle by eliminating the need to conduct such testing when the receiving country does not require it. (D/N APHIS-2006-0147, FR Pub 07/23/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-14177.pdf)

9. NOAA Allows Continued Importation of Yellowfin Tuna from Mexico

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a notice announcing that it has renewed the affirmative finding for the Government of Mexico under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding allows yellowfin tuna harvested in the Eastern Tropical Pacific in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Mexican-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Mexican jurisdiction to be imported into the U.S., effective April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008. (FR Pub 07/23/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-14102.pdf)

10. ITA Revokes Export Trade Certificate of Review for Dimick Int'l & Associates

The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing that the Secretary of Commerce has determined to revoke the Export Trade Certificate of Review for Dimick International & Associates because the company failed to file an annual report as required by law. According to the ITA, the revocation is effective August 27, 2007. (FR Pub 07/27/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-14540.pdf)

11. FMC Lists OTI Revocations

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice that revokes ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 07/18/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-13929.pdf

12. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) or NVOCC/ ocean freight forwarder (FF) OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 07/11/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-13422.pdf