Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. House Committee Posts Analysis of Draft Bill on Food/Drug Safety

2. TWIC Enrollment for Various Ports

The Transportation Security Administration is announcing that enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential for the ports of Paulsboro, NJ; Paducah, KY; and Marquette, MI was to begin on May 29, 2008; Valdez, AK will begin on June 4, 2008; St. Croix, VI on June 5, 2008; and Coos Bay, OR on June 11, 2008. (D/Ns TSA-2006-24191; Coast Guard-2006-24196, FR Pub 05/27/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11807.pdf)

3. EPA to Hold Informal Hearing on PBC Proposed Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency will hold an informal public hearing on June 19, 2008, in Port Arthur, Texas, on the March 2008 proposed rule entitled, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Manufacturing (Import) Exemption for Veolia ES Technical Solutions, L.L.C. (D/N EPA-HQ-RCRA-2008-0123, FR Pub 05/19/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11177.pdf)

4. Ex-Im Bank Advisory Committee to Hold Open Meeting

The Advisory Committee of the Export-Import Bank will hold an open meeting on May 28, 2008 in Washington, DC. Agenda items include a focus on the congressionally mandated Competitiveness Report, which focuses on how Ex-Im Bank's programs compare with their major G-7 ECA counterparts during 2007. (FR Pub 05/19/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11068.pdf)

5. APHIS Changes Domestic Quarantine Regulations Regarding Exotic Newcastle Disease

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a final rule, effective June 26, 2008, that changes the exotic Newcastle disease (END) domestic quarantine regulations. These changes include harmonizing domestic and import regulations regarding the movement of dressed carcasses of dead birds and dead poultry; adding restrictions on the interstate movement of ratites out of quarantined areas; adding an option for the movement of pet birds; providing for the use of alternative procedures for treating manure and litter for composting and adding an additional surveillance period prior to removing quarantine restrictions. (D/NAPHIS-2006-0036, FR Pub 05/27/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11741.pdf)

6. ISO Country Code for Kosovo Added to AES

The Census Bureau issued an AES broadcast announcing that it has added the ISO country code for Kosovo (KV) to the Automated Export System, effective immediately. All AESPcLink users must update their AESDirect code tables to reflect the update to the Country codes. Users of AESDirect who file via the website at www.aesdirect.gov will have their code tables updated via the program automatically. (Broadcast 2008019, dated 05/23/08, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/documentlibrary/broadcasts/2008019.html)

7. CPSC Re-Announces Recall of Gel Candles Due to Fire Hazard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, due to additional incidents, is re-announcing its recall of certain gel candles manufactured by M & A Global Technologies Inc. (dba Spa at Home) due to fire hazard. (Release 08-287, dated 05/23/08, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08287.html)

8. FAS Provides EU Citrus Market Update

The Foreign Agricultural Service posted a presentation providing a European Union-27 citrus market update. (Presentation available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/2008_EU_Citrus.pdf)

9. DOT Says Americans Drive Less, Underscores Reliance on Excise Tax

The Department of Transportation reports that Americans drove 4.3% less in March 2008, as compared to a year earlier. "That Americans are driving less underscores the challenges facing the Highway Trust Fund and its reliance on the federal gasoline excise tax," said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Ray. (FHWA 11-08, dated 05/23/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/fhwa1108.htm)

10. FSIS Updates Export Reqs, Plant Lists, Eligible Foreign Establishments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for the following: Switzerland (meat/poultry) and Colombia (processed egg products). FSIS has also updated lists of U.S. plants approved to exportpork, poultry, and beef to Russia. (Documents are hyperlinked to country name/product)

11. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service has issued the following GAIN reports:

India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 20

Indonesia Coffee: Annual

Japan Agricultural Situation: Oilseeds and Products Annual Report

Japan Dairy and Products: Semiannual Report

Japan Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety: Positive List violation by Australian barley

Japan Market Development Reports: Japan Food Trends

Mexico Coffee: Annual

Mexico Dairy and Products: Semi-Annual

Mexico HRI Food Service Sector: The Mexican Market for the HRI Food Service Industries

Morocco Grain and Feed: Wheat and Barley MinAg Estimates Released

New Zealand Dairy and Products: Dairy and Products Semi-Annual Report

New Zealand Fresh Deciduous Fruit: Semi-Annual Report

12. CBP Accredits Three Companies as Commercial Gaugers and/or Laboratories

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued notices stating that it has accredited and approved the following companies as commercial gaugers and/or laboratories for petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with 19 CFR 151.12 and/or 151.13, on the effective dates listed (see individual notice for dates of next triennial inspections):

FMC notice (reissuances) (FR Pub 05/15/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10783.pdf

FMC notice (applications) (FR Pub 05/21/07) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11389.pdf