The European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union Webpage on Electronic Customs has been updated. The webpage gives an overview of the major projects making up the electronic customs initiative, including the Single Electronic Access Point and Single Window, the Automated Import System, the Automated Export System, etc. (Notice, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/policy_issues/electronic_customs_initiative/it_projects/index_en.htm)
The State Department has issued an amended Presidential Permit for the international bridge known as ''Anzalduas Bridge'' near McAllen, Texas. The amendment removes an article in the original permit that limited initial operating hours of the bridge to twelve hours per day. With this restriction removed, the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol, working with local and Mexican authorities, can set the bridge's hours of operation in accordance with demand and available resources. (FR Pub 06/08/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13336.pdf )
The World Customs Organization will hold a "Coordinated Border Management" forum on June 29-30, 2009 in Brussels, Belgium. The inter-agency and business forum will focus on the potential for establishing an effective and efficient coordinated border management system. (Notice, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/event.htm)
On June 4, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced fiscal year 2009 Operation Stonegarden grants-totaling $60 million-for 13 border states and the Territory of Puerto Rico to enhance the capabilities of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to jointly secure U.S. borders and territories. The 2009 allocations reflect President Obama's increased emphasis on the Southwest border in response to cartel violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Based on greater risk, heavy cross-border traffic and border-related threat intelligence, nearly 76 percent of Operation Stonegarden funds will go to Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas-up from 59 percent in fiscal year 2008. (DHS press release, dated 06/04/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1244070019405.shtm.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted updated versions of Appendices 4 and 5 to the National Agriculture Release Program (NARP) guidelines, which list commodities eligible for NARP. NARP provides a methodology for evaluating high-volume agriculture imports that are low-risk for the introduction of plant pests and plant diseases into the U.S.
According to Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sources, APHIS is now working on processing the applications it received for participation in the Lacey Act Blanket Declaration Pilot Program. APHIS has not yet given CBP a list of those that have chosen not to participate in the program and whose Line Release/BRASS C4 codes will be deactivated. (CBP was not expected to deactivate any codes until it got APHIS' list.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/29/09 news, 09052905, for BP summary announcing that pilot program submissions were to be post marked by May 30, 2009.)
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).