Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. ATA Asks FMC to Block LA/LB Clean Trucks Plan Agreement

2. Senate Committee Introduces Seafood Protection Legislation

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Inouye and Vice Chairman Stevens have introduced the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act (S. 2688), which would require the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to examine and test imported seafood; inspect foreign facilities; provide technical assistance and training to foreign facilities and governments; and expedite seafood imports from countries with consistently high standards. (Press release, dated 03/04/08, available at http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=249087&Month=3&Year=2008)

3. Review Finds DHS Tests to Certify New Radiation Detectors was Flawed

The House Energy and Commerce Committee reports that a Department of Homeland Security-sponsored review showed that tests used by DHS to certify new radiation screening machines were flawed. Committee members called for independent testing of the new generation of radiation detectors, which are expected to cost $1.2 billion to deploy. (Press release, dated 03/05/08, available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr217.shtml)

4. DDTC Posts Updated OEF/OIF Licensing Guidelines

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued an updated guidance on its export license review procedures for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan to ensure that only requests for exports directly related to OEF/OIF operations are afforded expedited review. (DDTC guidance, revised 03/01/08, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/docs/OEFandOIF_Guidelines2008.doc)

5. ITA & Interior Allocate CY 2008 Duty Exemptions for V.I. Watch Producers

The International Trade Administration and the Interior Department have issued a notice allocating calendar year 2008 duty exemptions for watch producers located in the Virgin Islands. According to the notice, the total quantity for duty-free insular watches and watch movements for 2008 is 1,866,000 units for the Virgin Islands, with 900,000 of these units allocated between three firms and the balance of units available for new entrants into the program or producers who request a supplement to their allocation. (D/N 990813222-0035-03, FR Pub 03/05/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-939.pdf)

6. APHIS Determines Certain Brazilian Areas are Free of South American Cucurbit Fly

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice announcing that it has determined, after receiving a request from Brazil, that seven municipalities in the State of Cear and 13 municipalities in the State of Rio Grande do Norte meet the criteria for recognition as pest-free areas for the South American cucurbit fly. (APHIS notice, D/N APHIS-2008-0013, FR Pub 03/03/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4054.pdf)

7. OPIC Announces Five Funds for Africa Totaling $875 Million

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has issued a press release announcing that it will support five new private equity investment funds, with a combined target capitalization of $875 million, designed to invest in a variety of sectors vital to Africa's economic development, including health care, housing, telecommunications and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). (OPIC press release, dated 02/14/08, available at http://www.opic.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/pr021408.asp)

8. FAS Reports on EU Food Labeling Regulations, German Press Coverage on Food from Clones

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued two attach reports which respectively state that: (1) on January 30, 2008, the European commission published its proposal to revise the EU's general food labeling requirements to include the mandatory declaration of nutrition information on the front label of pre-packaged foods, etc.; and (2) German press coverage of FDA and EFSA statements on the safety of clones and their products in the food supply has been numerous. (Attach reports, released 02/25/08, respectively, available by query at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cots/attache.html)

9. FAS Reports on New Zealand Bio-Fuel, Sweden Ethanol Imports

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued two attach reports which respectively state that: (1) in February 2007, the New Zealand Government announced the Biofuels Bill, which sets biofuel sales obligations for oil companies. The sales obligations require New Zealand's oil companies to combine biofuels, both ethanol and biodiesel, with petrol and diesel to make up 3.4% of their sales by 2012; and (2) on February 4, 2008, the European Union approved Sweden's application for permission to continue to import ethanol for processing into biofuels E85 and E95 at a low tariff rate. (Attach reports, released 02/25/08, respectively, available by query at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cots/attache.html)

10. FMCSA Issues Technical Correction to Fees for UCR Plan and Agreement

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a notice making a technical correction, effective February 26, 2008, to the annual fees and fee bracket structure for the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement that were published in the August 24, 2007 Federal Register. This document corrects the year in which the fees and fee bracket structure are effective. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/28/07 news, 07082820, for FMCSA final rule.) (FMCSA technical correction, D/N FMCSA-2007-27871, FR Pub 02/26/08, available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-3603.pdf)