Mexico's National Cargo Transportation Association (Canacar) announced on June 1, that it is suing the U.S. for $6 billion because of its refusal to allow Mexican haulers onto its roads as required under the North American Free Trade Agreement. About 4,500 Mexican trucking companies are involved in the lawsuit, according to Canacar. (Notice, available at http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=79026)
The International Trade Data System website has posted U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) proposal for addressing Participating Government Agency concerns regarding third party sharing, that was included as part of the May 7, 2009 ITDS Legal Policy meeting. (Proposal, available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/toolbox/library/resource_documents/third_party_agent.ctt/third_party_agent.pdf)
Note that Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions does not appear in today's issue of International Trade Today. Publication of this feature will resume as new information becomes available.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sources have stated by phone that letters of intent to participate in the Lacey Act Blanket Declaration Pilot Program must be postmarked by Saturday, May 30, 2009 (as the May 31, 2009 deadline falls on a Sunday).
On May 20, the Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus unveiled its 2009 International Piracy Watch List, announcing it will closely monitor copyright piracy in Canada, China, Mexico, Russia, and Spain. According to the caucus, these countries stand out because of the scope and depth of their piracy problems, which cost the U.S. copyright industries and the millions of Americans who work in these companies more than $25 billion each year. (Caucus press release, dated 05/20/09, available at http://schiff.house.gov/antipiracycaucus/pdf/2009pressrelease.pdf and Caucus 2009 Country Watch List available at http://schiff.house.gov/antipiracycaucus/pdf/IAPC_2009_Watch_List.pdf)
On May 20, 2009, the Federal Maritime Commission was scheduled to begin posting on its website new statistics detailing the number and types of filings made to the Commission's automated Service Contract Filing System, used by common carriers to confidentially file service contracts, service arrangements, and associated amendments. Beginning with January 2008 data, the newly available filing statistics will include monthly data by the type of filing, i.e., service contract or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) Service Arrangement (NSA), and by category, i.e., original contract or amendment. (Notice, dated 05/20/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=278)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Los Angeles has issued a Public Bulletin informing the general aviation community of a change in procedure that will require all private aircraft to report to a single CBP approved General Aviation Facility (GAF) upon landing from abroad at Los Angeles International Airport. (LA09-017 is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule to implement an assessment (tax) of 7.5 cents per hundredweight of milk, or equivalent thereof, on imported dairy products, in order to fund promotion and research. This proposed action is pursuant to the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills. Written comments are due by June 18, 2009. (AMS proposed rule, D/N DA-08-07: AMS-DA-8-050, FR Pub 05/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11492.pdf and AMS press release, dated 05/18/09, available here.)
CBP has posted updated bond processing statistics that provide information regarding the estimated processing times for bond applications, etc. as of May 11, 2009. (Statistics, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/priority_trade/revenue/bonds/pilot_program/bond_stats.ctt/bond_stats.xls)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sources have stated by phone that the date by which eligible entities must contact APHIS to participate in the Lacey Act Blanket Declaration Pilot Program is "effectively extended" until May 31, 2009.