Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The 'security counsel' column of The Journal of Commerce questions whether the C-TPAT Mandatory Portal will leave the "partnership" behind and regress to a version of the "automate or perish" days of Commissioner William Von Raab. The column speculates that the days of a voluntary trade security program may be numbered given the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) critical reports on C-TPAT and the installation of an enforcement-grounded commissioner. (JoC, dated 07/10/06, www.joc.com )
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1. Concern that Mandatory 'Portal' May Replace the 'Partnership' in C-TPAT
2. U.S. and Russia Expected to Announce Compromise to Remove Hurdles to Russia's Joining the WTO
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that on July 14, 2006, at the G-8 summit, the U.S. and Russia are expected to announce a compromise which would remove the last remaining hurdles for Russia to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). (JoC Online, dated 07/11/06, www.joc.gov).
3. USDA Issues Statement Concerning Canada's Proposal to Lift Import Restrictions Regarding Bluetongue for Ruminant Animals from U.S.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a press statement from its Deputy Undersecretary regarding the Canadian government's proposal to lift import restrictions regarding bluetongue on all classes of cattle, sheep, deer, goats, and other ruminant animals imported from the U.S. The USDA official indicated that the decision would allow for year-round importation on all classes of ruminants and eliminating costly bluetongue testing requirements. (USDA Statement, dated 07/11/06, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/07/0244.xml)
4. USTR Posts Table Listing Results of 2005 GSP Annual Review, Etc.
The Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing the disposition of the product petitions that were accepted for review in the 2005 GSP Annual Product Review, the results of the 2005 Country Practices Review, the results of the 2005 De Minimis Waiver and Redesignation Reviews, the 2005 Competitive Need Limitations (CNL) removals, and certain previously deferred country practice petitions, all of which are summarized in a table available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Development/Preference_Programs/GSP/asset_upload_file401_9601.pdf . (Note that Part V of this USTR's table was incomplete until recently.) (FR Pub 07/05/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-10441.pdf )
5. AMS Reopens, Extends Comment Period on Proposed Regulatory Changes for Grapes
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a notice reopening and extending the comment period associated with a proposed rule that would amend minimum grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements that apply to certain southeastern California grapes and to imported grapes under the table grape import regulation. Comments must be received by September 11, 2006. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/10/05 and 09/30/05 news, 05061099 5 and 05093099 2, for BP summaries of the proposed rule and an earlier extension of the comment period, respectively.) (D/N FV03-925-1 PR, FR Pub 07/11/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-10769.pdf)
6. AMS Proposed Rule Would Revise Regulations Governing Fees for Inspection of Fruits and Vegetables
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a proposed rule that would revise the regulations at 7 CFR Part 52 governing the inspection and certification for processed fruits, vegetables, and processed products. The proposed rule calls for: (1) a projected fee increase ranging from 19-26%, (2) new fee structures for inspection contracts with AMS, (3) amendments to fees charged to persons required to have inspections on imported commodities in accordance with the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1937. Comments must be postmarked, courier dated, or sent by the internet on or before August 10, 2006. (FR Pub 07/11/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-10768.pdf)
7. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
| FDA | Experimental Study of Qualified Health Claims: Consumer Inferences About Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated Fatty Acids From Olive Oil, and Green Tea | 06/21/06 |
| CBP 1 | Importers ID Input Record (Form-5106) | 07/13/06 |
| CBP 2 | Harbor Maintenance Fee (Form 349 and 350) | 07/13/06 |
| CBP 3 | Crew Members Declaration (Form-5129) | 07/13/06 |
| CBP 4 | Application for Identification/Smart Card (CBP Form - 3078) | 07/17/06 |
| APHIS 1 | Certification Program for Imported Articles of Pelargonium spp and Solanum spp. To Prevent Introduction of Potato Brown Rot. | 08/15/06 |
| APHIS 2 | Veterinary Services; Customer Service Survey | 08/15/06 |
| AMS | Applications for Export Certification | 08/18/06 |
(FDA Information Collection, FR Pub 05/22/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7692.pdf)
(CBP 1 and 2 Information Collections, FR Pub 06/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9160.pdf)
(CBP 3 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9162.pdf)
(CBP 4 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/15/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9159.pdf)
(APHIS 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/16/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9468.pdf)
(APHIS 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/16/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9469.pdf)
(AMS Information Collection, FR Pub 06/19/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9544.pdf)