Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Senators Snowe and Collins announced that CBP has agreed to their requests to replace the existing Port of Entry in Van Buren that was damaged during severe flooding in early May 2008. CBP will work with the U.S. General Services Administration to develop a plan to build a new permanent facility that will meet the economic needs of the region as well as the security needs of CBP. (Press release, dated 09/12/08, available at http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuseaction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=8cec5872-7156-4db8-9b57-d47083ecaa70&Month=9&Year=2008&Affiliation=R)
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1. Senators Applaud CBP's Decision to Build New Van Buren POE
2. Bill to Enhance Remedies for IPR Violations Placed on Senate Calendar
On September 12, 2008, the Senate reported with amendments S. 3325, Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act of 2008, a bill to enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws. On September 15, 2008, it was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. (Daily Digest, dated 09/15/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080915))
3. Long Beach Posts Its September 11th CTP Webinar
The Port of Long Beach posted a webinar and a link to the PowerPoint presentation from its September 11, 2008 workshop on the Clean Trucks Program for beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), ocean carriers, customs brokers and freight forwarders and other logistics industry professionals. (Webinar available at http://longbeach.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=445; PowerPoint presentation available at http://longbeach.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=445.)
4. ITA Fact Sheet on July Exports, Includes Info on Korea
The International Trade Administration issued its fact sheet on July 2008 export statistics. The fact sheet includes a "trade spotlight" on Korea. (Fact sheet, released 09/11/08, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_007218.pdf)
5. FDA Health Info Advisory on Infant Formula Manufactured in China
In response to reports of contaminated milk-based infant formula manufactured in China, the Food and Drug Administration is issuing a Health Information Advisory. This is to assure the public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell infant formula in the U.S. Although no Chinese manufacturers of infant formula have fulfilled the requirements to sell infant formula in the U.S., FDA officials are investigating whether or not infant formula manufactured in China is being sold in specialty markets which serve the Asian community. (FDA, dated 09/12/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01883.html)
6. Former ITXC Corporation Executives Sentenced for Roles in Foreign Bribery Scheme
The Justice Department reports that three former ITXC Corporation executives have been sentenced for their role in a foreign bribery scheme involving telecommunications contracts in Africa. (DoJ, dated 09/02/08, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/pr/press_releases/2008/09/09-02-08itxc-sentenced.pdf)
7. Philadelphia Export Company, Employees Indicted for Bribing Foreign Officials
The Justice Department reports that four individuals were arrested on charges that they and their company, Nexus Technologies Inc., paid bribes to various Vietnamese government officials in exchange for lucrative contracts to supply equipment and technology to Vietnamese government agencies, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). (DoJ, dated 09/05/08, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/pr/press_releases/2008/09/09-05-08nexus-indicted.pdf)
8. FSIS Announces Revises/Consolidated Standards, Procedures for Labs
The Food Safety and Inspection Service announced revised and consolidated standards and procedures for the accreditation of non-Federal analytical chemistry laboratories. Laboratories in the Accredited Laboratory Program (ALP) are accredited to analyze official meat and poultry samples for chemical residues and for moisture, protein, fat, and salt. (FSIS, dated 09/11/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_091108_02/index.asp)
9. FAS Posts Market and Trade Data Reports
The Foreign Agricultural Service has posted the following Market and Trade Data Feature Reports:
Cotton: World Markets and Trade
Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade
Australia: Estimated Wheat Production Decreased
Grain: World Markets and Trade
10. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Peru Agricultural Situation: Poultry update
Sweden Livestock and Products: First Case of Bluetongue Disease in Sweden
China FAIRS Subject Report: Registration of Overseas Cotton Exporters
India Agricultural Situation: Monsoon Update (9)
India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 36
Argentina FAIRS Country Report: Annual
Israel Dairy and Products: Dairy Industry Law - 2008
Nicaragua Biotechnology: Annual Report
Pakistan FAIRS Country Report: Annual
Peru FAIRS Country Report: Annual
Sri Lanka Biotechnology: Annual
Ukraine Planting Seeds: Ukraine Planting Seeds Imports
Uruguay Livestock and Products: Annual Report
11. 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 approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| APHIS 1 | Importation of Peppers From the Republic of Korea | 10/27/08 |
| FDA 1 | Regulations Under the Federal Import Milk Act | 10/24/08 |
| DEA | Import/Export Declaration for List I and List II Chemicals (DEA Form 486) | 10/24/08 |
| APHIS 2 | Phytosanitary Export Certification | 09/29/08 |
| APHIS 3 | Foreign Animal Disease (Emerging Disease Investigation (FAD/ED) Database) | 09/29/08 |
| FDA 2 | Request for Inspection Under the Inspection by Accredited Persons Program | 09/29/08 |
APHIS 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 08/27/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-19861.pdf
FDA 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 08/25/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-19627.pdf
DEA Information Collection (FR Pub 08/25/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-19594.pdf
APHIS 2 and 3 Information Collection (FR Pub 08/29/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20059.pdf
FDA 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 08/29/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20113.pdf