The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is to fine ships arriving in US ports without Asian Gypsy Moth certification from 1 January, as well as two-year ports of call data for the vessel, in an effort to reduce what has become an increasing problem this year in infested vessels.

Any vessel that does not present the required documentation prior to 1 January 2015 that has visited “an AGM port during the high-risk season” will be issued a warning, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said, in what is also a coordinated effort with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

A great opportunity for small businesses worth £10bn to the UK economy, or a secret deal which will put the NHS under threat and give big corporations more powers to sue the Government? Political editor Annabelle Dickson asks trade minister and former BT boss Lord Livingston what the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is, and looks at the fears of opponents of the deal.

China’s quarantine authorities have stopped shipments of U.S. alfalfa due to the presence of genetically modified organism (GMO) traits, according to a Hay and Forage article by Jeff Holmquist available here. Reuters also published an article available here.

The summer 2014 edition of InfraLog carries an in-depth interview with IFCBA Chairman, Shantanu Bhadkamkar in which he most ably and convincingly promotes the value of both customs brokers and the IFCBA.  Congratulations and thank-you Shantanu!

"Frequently companies do not have the necessary import and export compliance procedures in place, including some well-known publicly traded companies. In many cases, even if they have internal controls, they are often outdated or not being followed," according to Adrienne Braumiller, Founder, Braumiller Law Group, PLLC.

As a law firm participating in the marcus evans Chief Litigation Officer Summit Fall 2014, taking place in Palm Beach, Florida, September 14-16, Braumiller gives Chief Litigation Officers advice on minimizing compliance risks that may remain undetected for years.

Press reports indicate that the World Trade Organization has again ruled against U.S. regulations on the country of origin labeling of meat products. The decision brings the U.S. one step closer to billions of dollars’ worth of retaliatory sanctions against its exports to Canada and Mexico.

Japan's trade deficit rose in July from the month before to a wider than expected 964 billion yen ($9.4 billion), though exports were higher for the first time in three months, the government said Wednesday.

It was the 25th straight monthly trade deficit for the world's third-largest economy, due mainly to an increase in imports of oil and gas to compensate for idled nuclear reactors following meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant in 2011.

The Chinese government continues to increase trade cooperation with the rest of the world in order for the Chinese economy to grow long term. Recently, new FTAs have been signed, more are under negotiation, and Chinese cooperation with other Asia-Pacific countries is deepening.

GENEVA, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute panel ruled against Argentina on Friday in a 2012 case brought by the United States, European Union, and Japan against Argentine import licensing rules used to restrict imports.

The three trade powers argued that Argentina did not grant licenses to importers automatically, as required under WTO rules, allowing it to shield its vulnerable economy. The case was part of a tit-for-tat trade war in which the government seized control of oil firm YPF from its Spanish parent Repsol.