Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Shippers' NewsWire reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Ralph Basham spoke at the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America's (NCBFAA) Government Affairs Conference and emphasized that he understands the importance of international trade to the economic security of the country and pledged to get the manpower to improve the speed of shipments across the border. Basham also acknowledged that developing the multibillion-dollar Secure Border Initiative (SBI) on the Southwest border has been at the expense of import/export facilitation, cargo security, and other traditional activities. (American Shipper, dated 09/19/06, www.americanshipper.com)
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1. CBP's Basham Says SBI Development on Southwest Border Has Been at the Expense of CBP's Traditional Trade Activities
2. DOT Interested in One Year Pilot Border Program for Mexican Truckers
According to The Trucker, Acting U.S. Secretary of Transportation Maria Cino, in an interview published in the July 24, 2006 issue of Traffic World magazine, stated that DOT wants to start a one-year pilot program to allow about 100 Mexican motor carriers to travel beyond the 20-mile southern border commercial zone to which they are currently restricted. The article adds that such a program could be unveiled by DOT at the end of 2006. (The Trucker, dated (07/31/06), available at http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2006/7/31/OOIDAcallsproposedpilotborderprograma%E2%80%98mistake%E2%80%99.aspx )
3. Mexico Announces Temporary Byrd Amendment Retaliation on Certain Milk Preparations
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has issued a press release announcing that on September 13, 2006, Mexico announced that it will temporarily apply a duty rate of 110% on imports of preparations made from milk products with a milk solids content in excess of 50% by weight, outlined in tariff code 1901.90.05. The implementation of this new duty rate is a continuation of Mexico's retaliatory actions in response to the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling on the Byrd Amendment. (FAS press release, dated 09/15/06, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scripts/gd.asp?ID=146228976)
4. FDA Posts Various Notices to its Web Site
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted the following notices to its Web site:
FDA warning on foodborne E.coli O157:H7 outbreak in bagged spinach. FDA has posted to its Web site a warning to consumers about an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in multiple states which has resulted in one death and multiple hospitalizations. FDA states that preliminary epidemiological evidence suggests that bagged fresh spinach may be a possible cause of this outbreak, and advises consumers to avoid eating bagged fresh spinach at this time. (FDA warning,dated 09/14/06, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01450.html)
FDA updates information for consumers on avian influenza. FDA has posted to its Web site an updated document on avian influenza entitled "What Consumers Need to Know About Avian Influenza." (FDA document, updated 09/14/06, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/avfluqa.html)
5. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions
The FTZB has issued the following notices of recent FTZ actions:
Code Legend according to releases: D - Distributor, I - Importer, M - Manufacturer, N/A - Not Applicable, R - Retailer, W - Wholesaler, A - Agent. |