World Trade reports that a proposal currently under consideration in New York City would charge truckers $21 for driving in certain high congestion zones in Manhattan during peak hours, but truckers would be offered an exemption if they are operating low emission vehicles. (World Trade, dated March 2008, www.worldtrademag.com)
On January 28, 2008, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service amended the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Product Manual (APM) on the entry requirements for certain bouillon cubes, stocks, dehydrated soup mixes or extracts.
American Shipper reports that the American Trucking Association's Intermodal Motor Carrier Conference has asked the Federal Maritime Commission to strike down Long Beach's and Los Angeles' Clean Trucks Plan agreement, charging the two adjacent ports with implementing an "unlawful 'concession' mechanism." In its filing, the ATA cites a lawsuit recently decided by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down a Maine law seeking to impose regulations on Maine's trucking industry. (AS, dated 03/06/08, www.americanshipper.com)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the United Kingdom's Forestry Commission are reminding the trade that effective January 1, 2008, only dunnage (wood packaging material (WPM) used to wedge or support cargo) which meets the treatment and marking requirements of ISPM 151 will be allowed to enter the European Community.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective March 31, 2008, amending its fruits and vegetables regulations under 7 CFR Part 319 by clarifying the distinction between plant parts that would be considered plant litter or debris and those that would not, for all imported fruits and vegetables.
1. CBP's 102 Rule Lacks Accurate Cost Calculation
According to the House Majority Leader's office, the House is scheduled to vote on H.R. 5264, the Andean Trade Preference Extension Act of 2008, during the week of February 25, 2008. H.R. 5264 would extend the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as amended by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), for eight months, through December 31, 2008. (The ATPA/ATPDEA is currently scheduled to expire on February 29, 2008.) (Weekly Leader, dated 02/22/08, available at http://www.majorityleader.gov/links_and_resources/whip_resources/weeklyleader.cfm?pressreleaseID=2226.)
The Journal of Commerce reports that the global economic downturn is finally affecting China, which the World Bank forecasts will "only" grow at 9.6% in 2008 (from a 13 year record high growth rate of 11.4% in 2007.) (JoC, dated 02/11/08, www.joc.com)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a press release announcing that the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Partnership Council, a new alliance of federal and state agencies responsible for agriculture inspection, held its inaugural meeting on January 23, 2008.
The Washington Trade Daily reports that Colombian Trade Minister Luis Guillermo Plata has asked the U.S. to extend trade preferences under the Andean Trade Preference Act, as amended by the Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act, until 2009 while congress debates a free trade agreement signed between Colombia and the U.S. (Washington Trade Daily, dated 02/04/08, available at http://www.washingtontradedaily.com/)