The December 11, 2006 Federal Register contains the semi-annual regulatory agendas for numerous federal government agencies.
Shippers' NewsWire reports that the in-coming chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Jim Oberstar, has expressed interest in instituting a federal tax on containers to help pay for security measures. Rep. Oberstar stated his belief that port security should have a revenue stream similar to the one currently in place for aviation security, which is partly funded by passenger fees. (American Shipper Pub 12/05/06, www.americanshipper.com)
The Washington File reports that, according to a statement by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Schwab, the Bush administration's trade agenda will remain unchanged as the Democrats take control of the Congress in January 2007. According to the report, Schwab cited World Trade Organization (WTO) talks as the number one issue on the administration's agenda. (Washington File Pub 11/29/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=November&x=20061129142632SAikceinawz0.4388086)
Shippers' NewsWire reports that on December 1, 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is scheduled to electronically distribute to thousands of companies a survey on the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). The survey seeks to quantify the voluntary program's return on investment and measure its performance. (American Shipper Pub 11/27/06, www.americanshipper.com)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted to its Web site a document on the International Trade Data System (ITDS) program.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a proposed rule which would amend Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations pertaining to CBP's field organization by extending the geographic limits of the port of Dayton, Ohio, to include the Airborne Airpark in Wilmington, Ohio. CBP adds that the proposed extension of the port limits of Dayton is due to the closing of express consignment operations at Dayton International Airport, and the expansion of express consignment operations at Airborne Airpark. CBP notes that the user-fee status of Airborne Airpark would be terminated. Comments must be received on or before January 22, 2007. (D/N USCBP-2006-0091, FR Pub 11/21/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19631.pdf)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a statement after receiving a response to its request that South Korea clarify its beef trade restrictions. The statement notes that it is a positive step that South Korea has agreed to remove silver skin from its list of prohibited items and has agreed that cartilage, breast-bone, and bone chips would not be considered specific risk materials. However, the statement also notes that the U.S. is disappointed that South Korea has been unwilling to establish commercial tolerance levels for bone chips and cartilage. (USDA release 0444.06, dated 11/09/06, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_2_1UH/.ce/7_2_5JM/.p/5_2_4TQ/.d/1/_th/J_2_9D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?PC_7_2_5JM_contentid=2006%2F11%2F0444.xml&PC_7_2_5JM_parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&PC_7_2_5JM_navid=NEWS_RELEASE7_2_5JM.)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a press release announcing that it is delaying the November 24, 2006 effective date and establishing a staggered implementation for the collection of agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) user fees for inspections of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables, commercial vessels, vehicles, railroad cars and aircraft, as well as international passengers entering the U.S. from Canada.
The law firm of Rodriquez O'Donnell Ross reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that it had settled with Pioneer Speakers for $10 million over an incorrect North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) claim. According to the report, Pioneer wrongly claimed NAFTA for imported speakers that were made with ineligible parts. The case originally involved a claim for over $21 million for the purportedly false NAFTA claims and over $15 million for claimed record keeping violations. (Rodriquez O'Donnell Ross Pub October/November 2006, www.rorlaw.com)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice of its intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) to analyze methyl bromide usage associated with regulatory requirements for importing solid wood packing material (WPM) into the U.S.