(The Canadian Press)
The European Union says it will slash farm tariffs by 60% as part of a new global trade pact, a deeper cut than it has ever offered.
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson told reporters today at the World Trade Organization that the offer is meant to kick-start a week of crunch global commerce negotiations. The EU has previously proposed to cut the tariffs by 54%.
Mandelson says he now hopes emerging economies like Brazil, India and China will respond by improving offers on industrial tariffs.
Rich and poor countries have clashed repeatedly in the seven-year WTO talks. Developing countries want more agricultural openings, while the U.S., EU and others seek better access for their manufacturers andbanks.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Product of Canada, Made in Canada
(Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
The Canadian Food Labelling Initiative was recently posted on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) web site and can be viewed here.
Modifications to the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising (2003 Guide) Section 4.19 Product of Canada, Made in Canada are available here, and An Industry Advisory – New Guidelines Defining Product of Canada and Made in Canada on food labels and advertising here.
The Canadian Food Labelling Initiative was recently posted on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) web site and can be viewed here.
Modifications to the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising (2003 Guide) Section 4.19 Product of Canada, Made in Canada are available here, and An Industry Advisory – New Guidelines Defining Product of Canada and Made in Canada on food labels and advertising here.
Move Faster to Fix Border Delays, Van Dongen Urges
(Vancouver Sun – Derrick Penner)
Lineups for truckers and tourists a concern
The Canadian and U.S. federal governments need to move faster to fix the delays truckers face at border crossings, according to John van Dongen, B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor-general.
At a major intergovernmental conference on Monday, van Dongen said that while governments have moved to implement programs that expedite the passage of “trusted travellers” across the border, he still sees long lineups at the Fraser Valley’s Pacific Border Crossing.
He contends that those lineups result in fewer vehicles taking more time to get across, “which represents huge lost dollars.”
The situation has improved over the past four years, according to other speakers at the breakout session of the Pacific North West Economic Region (PNWER) conference in Vancouver.
However, van Dongen said that while things are moving in the right direction, “Rome is burning while we’re trying to get this stuff implemented.”
The issue of the border, which has become a stickier line to cross in the security-conscious 9/11 era, was a key topic of discussion at the PNWER annual meeting, which brings together top government and business representatives to talk about common issues. Van Dongen serves as one of PNWER’s vice-presidents.
The potential for visitors to Vancouver and Whistler’s Olympics in 2010 to face delays dominated a morning session on border issues.
Premier Gordon Campbell reprised that theme as part of his keynote address during lunch.
Recalling an uncomfortably long wait for transportation at the 2004 Athens Olympics that still sticks out in his memory, Campbell said he wants to make sure the thing that people don’t remember about the 2010 Games is a long wait at the border to get into Canada.
Campbell credited PNWER with advancing the border-delay issue with both the Canadian and U.S. federal governments, and pushing for innovative solutions, such as the enhanced drivers licences being piloted by Washington and B.C. as acceptable border identification.
Cargo crossing the border was the afternoon topic, when it was mentioned strides have been made towards improving the two-way flow. Click here for the complete article.
Lineups for truckers and tourists a concern
The Canadian and U.S. federal governments need to move faster to fix the delays truckers face at border crossings, according to John van Dongen, B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor-general.
At a major intergovernmental conference on Monday, van Dongen said that while governments have moved to implement programs that expedite the passage of “trusted travellers” across the border, he still sees long lineups at the Fraser Valley’s Pacific Border Crossing.
He contends that those lineups result in fewer vehicles taking more time to get across, “which represents huge lost dollars.”
The situation has improved over the past four years, according to other speakers at the breakout session of the Pacific North West Economic Region (PNWER) conference in Vancouver.
However, van Dongen said that while things are moving in the right direction, “Rome is burning while we’re trying to get this stuff implemented.”
The issue of the border, which has become a stickier line to cross in the security-conscious 9/11 era, was a key topic of discussion at the PNWER annual meeting, which brings together top government and business representatives to talk about common issues. Van Dongen serves as one of PNWER’s vice-presidents.
The potential for visitors to Vancouver and Whistler’s Olympics in 2010 to face delays dominated a morning session on border issues.
Premier Gordon Campbell reprised that theme as part of his keynote address during lunch.
Recalling an uncomfortably long wait for transportation at the 2004 Athens Olympics that still sticks out in his memory, Campbell said he wants to make sure the thing that people don’t remember about the 2010 Games is a long wait at the border to get into Canada.
Campbell credited PNWER with advancing the border-delay issue with both the Canadian and U.S. federal governments, and pushing for innovative solutions, such as the enhanced drivers licences being piloted by Washington and B.C. as acceptable border identification.
Cargo crossing the border was the afternoon topic, when it was mentioned strides have been made towards improving the two-way flow. Click here for the complete article.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Economy Will Recover, BoC Says
(National Post – Jacqueline Thorpe)
The Canadian economy looks to have escaped a recession in the first half of 2008 and will pick up momentum through the end of the year, despite extreme turmoil in financial markets and continued weakness in the United States, the Bank of Canada said yesterday.
Still, 2008 as a whole will be the worst showing for the economy since 1992, when it was crawling out of the recession of the early 1990s, according to bank forecasts. Indeed, the bank believes growth will be weaker than what will be seen in the United States, which is facing no immediate end of troubles.
The bank said a wave of income from rising commodity prices will keep the economy afloat through the end of the year.
“Recent increases in commodity prices lead to higher wages and salaries, higher government revenues, higher corporate profits and equity valuations and stronger investment growth, particularly in the energy sector,” it said in its quarterly review of the economy.
The bank forecasts the economy will grow at an annualized pace of 0.8% in the second quarter, up from an earlier forecast of 0.3%. The economy contracted 0.3% in the first quarter. Two back-to-back quarters of declining activity are required to meet the widely accepted definition of a recession.
Businesses drew on inventories in the first quarter after importing heavily at the end of 2007. This idled factory production and weighed heavily on growth, but the bank believes this process has now been worked through and growth should bounce back in the second quarter.
But this will by no means be a stellar year for the economy. Growth is projected to be just 1% for all of 2008, its slowest rate since a 0.9% expansion in 1992.The economy is expected to bounce back more strongly to 2.3% in 2009 and 3.3% in 2010. Read the complete article.
The Canadian economy looks to have escaped a recession in the first half of 2008 and will pick up momentum through the end of the year, despite extreme turmoil in financial markets and continued weakness in the United States, the Bank of Canada said yesterday.
Still, 2008 as a whole will be the worst showing for the economy since 1992, when it was crawling out of the recession of the early 1990s, according to bank forecasts. Indeed, the bank believes growth will be weaker than what will be seen in the United States, which is facing no immediate end of troubles.
The bank said a wave of income from rising commodity prices will keep the economy afloat through the end of the year.
“Recent increases in commodity prices lead to higher wages and salaries, higher government revenues, higher corporate profits and equity valuations and stronger investment growth, particularly in the energy sector,” it said in its quarterly review of the economy.
The bank forecasts the economy will grow at an annualized pace of 0.8% in the second quarter, up from an earlier forecast of 0.3%. The economy contracted 0.3% in the first quarter. Two back-to-back quarters of declining activity are required to meet the widely accepted definition of a recession.
Businesses drew on inventories in the first quarter after importing heavily at the end of 2007. This idled factory production and weighed heavily on growth, but the bank believes this process has now been worked through and growth should bounce back in the second quarter.
But this will by no means be a stellar year for the economy. Growth is projected to be just 1% for all of 2008, its slowest rate since a 0.9% expansion in 1992.The economy is expected to bounce back more strongly to 2.3% in 2009 and 3.3% in 2010. Read the complete article.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
More Border States Plan to Ease Travel with Enhanced Licenses
(USA Today)
A growing number of states on the borders with Canada and Mexico are establishing or considering enhanced driver's licenses designed to give residents a more convenient identification option for border crossings.
In February, Washington became the first state to establish the new licenses. To receive a license labeled “enhanced,” applicants are required to show proof of US citizenship in addition to the other identification documents required for obtaining traditional licenses.
Since then, 21,000 Washington residents have received the licenses, which allow them to get back into the USA through any border crossing or seaport without a passport, according to Department of Licensing spokeswoman Gigi Zenk.
New York and Vermont will follow in coming months. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has proposed the idea for residents there, and Michigan is working toward a plan. Click here for the complete article.
A growing number of states on the borders with Canada and Mexico are establishing or considering enhanced driver's licenses designed to give residents a more convenient identification option for border crossings.
In February, Washington became the first state to establish the new licenses. To receive a license labeled “enhanced,” applicants are required to show proof of US citizenship in addition to the other identification documents required for obtaining traditional licenses.
Since then, 21,000 Washington residents have received the licenses, which allow them to get back into the USA through any border crossing or seaport without a passport, according to Department of Licensing spokeswoman Gigi Zenk.
New York and Vermont will follow in coming months. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has proposed the idea for residents there, and Michigan is working toward a plan. Click here for the complete article.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Container Testing and Ventilation Update
(CSCB)
The Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB) has had a discussion with senior CBSA staff regarding CBSA testing of containers for fumigants and other solvents. This is further to our message of July 12.
Although the testing of containers destined for examination is not new, it is only recently that CBSA have started testing for formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can be used by the shipper for fumigation purposes, or it may be a by-product of the goods in the container. For this reason, charges that have been assessed by the shipper for fumigation or container markings are not a reliable indicator of whether or not the container requires ventilation and all containers sent for examination are now being tested. If the presence of formaldehyde or other solvent is detected, the container must be ventilated and a delay in the release of the container is inevitable.
CBSA is working to improve ventilation time. There were initial issues with equipment used for this testing, and various other methods are being considered and/or utilized. We know that in the port of Montreal, CBSA used pesticide companies who could ventilate containers more quickly than CBSA. CBSA has also gone to a 24/7 ventilation operation in order to deal with the backlog of containers.
CBSA have confirmed that charges for ventilation will be borne by them.
In response to our concern that we have been expecting for some time a commitment from CBSA to service standards relating to cargo examinations, CBSA has promised to provide service standards for the time frames for container ventilation and examination. Once available, we will advise members and ask for feedback to determine whether or not the service standards are reasonable.
We are expecting further information from CBSA today.
The Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB) has had a discussion with senior CBSA staff regarding CBSA testing of containers for fumigants and other solvents. This is further to our message of July 12.
Although the testing of containers destined for examination is not new, it is only recently that CBSA have started testing for formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can be used by the shipper for fumigation purposes, or it may be a by-product of the goods in the container. For this reason, charges that have been assessed by the shipper for fumigation or container markings are not a reliable indicator of whether or not the container requires ventilation and all containers sent for examination are now being tested. If the presence of formaldehyde or other solvent is detected, the container must be ventilated and a delay in the release of the container is inevitable.
CBSA is working to improve ventilation time. There were initial issues with equipment used for this testing, and various other methods are being considered and/or utilized. We know that in the port of Montreal, CBSA used pesticide companies who could ventilate containers more quickly than CBSA. CBSA has also gone to a 24/7 ventilation operation in order to deal with the backlog of containers.
CBSA have confirmed that charges for ventilation will be borne by them.
In response to our concern that we have been expecting for some time a commitment from CBSA to service standards relating to cargo examinations, CBSA has promised to provide service standards for the time frames for container ventilation and examination. Once available, we will advise members and ask for feedback to determine whether or not the service standards are reasonable.
We are expecting further information from CBSA today.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Memorandum D3-5-2: Marine Cargo – Import Movements
(CBSA)
This memorandum has been revised to reflect current carrier and cargo policies and reporting procedures, including Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program requirements. It has been revised to update the contact information at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The contents of the following customs notices related to the ACI program have been incorporated into this memorandum (as well as in D3-1-1, Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods; D3-2-1, International Air Traffic; D3-2-2, Air Cargo – Import Movements and D3-5-1, Vessels in International Service):
• Customs Notice N – 605, Advance Commercial Information – Updates on Cargo and Conveyance Electronic Reporting for Air Mode and for Marine Shipments Loaded in the United States;
• Customs Notice – 630, Advance Commercial Information (ACI) – Updates on the Implementation of ACI Phase II Air and Marine; and,
• Customs Notice – 652, Advance Commercial Information (ACI) – Updates on the Implementation of ACI Phase II Air and Marine.
Procedures and guidelines regarding loading or discharge of cargo at non-CBSA port have been moved from D3-5-2 to D3-5-1.
ACI data elements have been added to Appendix B of this memorandum. Full document available here (PDF file).
This memorandum has been revised to reflect current carrier and cargo policies and reporting procedures, including Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program requirements. It has been revised to update the contact information at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The contents of the following customs notices related to the ACI program have been incorporated into this memorandum (as well as in D3-1-1, Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods; D3-2-1, International Air Traffic; D3-2-2, Air Cargo – Import Movements and D3-5-1, Vessels in International Service):
• Customs Notice N – 605, Advance Commercial Information – Updates on Cargo and Conveyance Electronic Reporting for Air Mode and for Marine Shipments Loaded in the United States;
• Customs Notice – 630, Advance Commercial Information (ACI) – Updates on the Implementation of ACI Phase II Air and Marine; and,
• Customs Notice – 652, Advance Commercial Information (ACI) – Updates on the Implementation of ACI Phase II Air and Marine.
Procedures and guidelines regarding loading or discharge of cargo at non-CBSA port have been moved from D3-5-2 to D3-5-1.
ACI data elements have been added to Appendix B of this memorandum. Full document available here (PDF file).
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