Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that on March 13, 2007, the Senate passed S. 4, a bill to implement recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission. According to the article, S. 4 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to come up with a plan that will eventually result in 100% scanning of all U.S.-bound containers. (The House-passed version of this legislation, H.R. 1, would establish deadlines for 100% scanning. See ITT's Online Archives or 01/11/07 news, 07011110, for BP summary of H.R. 1, as passed by the House.) (WTD dated 03/14/07, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
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1. Senate Passes Bill to Implement 9/11 Commission Recommendations
2. Ecuador Asks WTO to Review European Restrictions on Banana Imports
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that Ecuador is asking the World Trade Organization (WTO) to review European restrictions on banana imports. According to the article, Latin American countries and the U.S. have long contended that European Union tariffs on bananas amount to unfair trade distortion. (JoC Online, dated 02/26/07, www.joc.com.)
3. Commerce Overhauls its Web Site
The Commerce Department has issued a press release announcing the launch of an overhaul of its home page (www.commerce.gov). According to the press release, over the coming months, more content will be migrated to the new site which features: a state-of-the-art management system, more regular news and information from the bureaus within the Department, etc. (Press release, dated 02/23/07, available at http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2007_Releases/February/23_Gutierrez_WebSite_Launch_rls.htm.)
4. FDA Draft Guidance on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products Available
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing the availability of draft guidance for industry entitled "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and their Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration." The FDA notes that it has seen an increase of complementary and alternative medicine products imported into the U.S. (FDA notice, FR Pub 02/27/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3259.pdf.)
5. FSIS Meeting on Upcoming Codex Food Additives Committee Meeting
The Food Safety and Inspection System (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sponsored a public meeting on March 8, 2007 to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the Thirty-ninth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in China on April 24-28, 2007. (FSIS notice, FR Pub 02/27/07, avaialble at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3264.pdf.)
6. Continuation of National Emergency with Respect to Zimbabwe
President Bush has issued a notice that he is continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe's democratic processes or institutions. (Notice, FR Pub 03/02/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-1001.pdf.)
7. Allocations for CY 2007 Duty Exemptions for Watch Producers Announced
The Commerce Department and the Department of the Interior have issued a notice which announces the allocation of calendar year 2007 duty exemptions for watch producers located in the Virgin Islands. (Notice, FR Pub 03/05/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-994.pdf.
8. Commerce Notice on its Draft FY 2007-2012 Strategic Plan
The Commerce Department has issued a notice announcing that it is updating its current fiscal year (FY) 2004-2009 Strategic Plan and that as part of the process, it is inviting comments on its draft FY 2007-2012 Strategic Plan on/before April 9, 2007. The Commerce Department's draft plan is available at http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/. (Notice, FR Pub 03/08/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-4116.pdf.)
9. OFAC Designates One Entity Under Terrorism EO
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a notice publishing the name of one newly-designated entity of Lebanon, effective February 20, 2007, whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 13224, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism." (FR Pub 02/26/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3239.pdf.)