The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective September 16, 2005, that APHIS states will affect all persons using regulated wood packaging material (regulated WPM) in connection with importing goods into the U.S.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective September 16, 2005, that APHIS states will affect all persons using regulated wood packaging material (regulated WPM) in connection with importing goods into the U.S.
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that a decision by union longshoremen not to work on Labor Day could cause a labor shortage at the port of Los Angeles - Long Beach, throwing these ports into crisis mode due to record volumes of vessels in the port complex. The article notes that these ports have been struggling with port congestion due largely to delays in the intermodal rail network and a shortage of dockworkers. Port employers had asked the union to be available to work on Labor Day. (Joc Online, dated 09/01/04, www.joc.com )
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule which, effective September 27, 2004, amends the regulations at 7 CFR Part 319 in order to modify its restrictions on the importation of certain unmanufactured wood articles1 from the Mexican States adjacent to the U.S./Mexico border (Mexican Border States).
Washington Trade Daily reports that on August 30, 2004 the World Trade Organization's Appellate Body upheld an earlier ruling by a WTO Dispute Settlement Panel that dismissed U.S. unfair trade allegations against Canada's Wheat Board. (In April 2004, the WTO Dispute Settlement Panel agreed with the U.S. that Canada's grain distribution system was unfair and violates Canada's WTO obligations, but found against the U.S. with respect to its claims that certain practices of the CWB are unfair.) (WTD dated 08/31/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') Web site has updated its tables which list information on trade bans imposed by foreign countries on U.S. exports due to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and avian influenza (avian flu).
The Washington Post reports that the World Trade Organization (WTO) has agreed to a European Union (EU) request to allow scientists to testify in the dispute brought by the U.S., Canada, and Argentina over the EU moratorium on approving genetically modified foods for sale in Europe. According to the Washington Post, this means that the WTO panel's report will be issued in late March 2005, rather than before the end of 2004. (Washington Post Pub 08/27/04, www.washingtonpost.com)
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has initiated a review to provide advice to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) concerning a petition filed under the "commercial availability" provisions of the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) on apparel of certain woven cotton napped sheeting fabrics. However, the ITC is not seeking comments because the subject fabrics are similar to those that are the subject of two ongoing reviews. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/19/04 news, 04081925, for BP summary of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreement's (CITA's) related notice.) (ITC notice, dated 08/18/04, available at http://www.usitc.gov/332s/shortsup/332_458_015nl.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an updated version of its frequently asked questions (FAQ) and responses on its final rule requiring, among other things, the advance electronic presentation of information for all modes of inbound transportation.
The Coast Guard is seeking applications by October 31, 2004 for appointment to membership on the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), which provides advice and makes recommendations on matters relating to the safe and secure transportation and handling of hazardous materials in bulk on U.S.-flag vessels in U.S. ports and waterways. (USCG-2004-18650, FR Pub 07/27/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-17052.pdf)