Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S.-Colombia FTA Faces Hostile Congress

2. Foreign Agricultural Officials from 19 Countries Visit Texas

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a press release announcing that agricultural officials representing 19 countries will visit Texas from September 9-16, 2007 as part of an annual tour to promote American agriculture and expand global markets for U.S. farm and food products. (FAS press release, dated 09/06/07, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0099-07)

3. ITC Reports on Effect of Accelerating, Effective Oct. 1, 2007, Elimination of Mexico's Sugar Tariffs

The U.S. International Trade Commission has issued a report entitled, "Certain Sugar Goods: Probable Economic Effect of Tariff Elimination Under NAFTA for Goods of Mexico" which contains the ITC's advice as to the probable economic effect on like or directly competitive domestic industries and on consumers of accelerating, effective October 1, 2007, the elimination of U.S. sugar tariffs applicable to imports from Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement. (ITC investigation nos. 332-490 and NAFTA-103-017, ITC Pub. 3928, dated August 2007, available at http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/pubs/103/pub3928.pdf)

4. OFAC Unblocks Two Individuals Under Drug Trafficking EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of two individuals whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 12978, "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers," and whose names have been removed from the list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers on June 20, 2007. (FR Pub 09/07/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-17644.pdf)

5. BIS Updates CFR Legal Authority Citations for All Parts of EAR

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective September 5, 2007, which updates the citations of authority in the Code of Federal Regulations for all parts of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to reflect the legal authorities in effect as a result to the President's notice of August 15, 2007, Continuation of Emergency Regarding Export Control Regulations. (BIS final rule, D/N 070809455-7478-01, FR Pub 09/05/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-17532.pdf)

6. APHIS Proposes to Amend, Republish List of Agents/Toxins Found to Pose Potential Threat to Animals/Plants

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice announcing that, in accordance with the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002, it is proposing to amend and republish the list of select agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products. The Act requires the biennial review and republication of the list of select agents and toxins and the revision of the list as necessary; this action would implement the findings of the second biennial review of the list. Comments are due on or before October 29, 2007. (D/N APHIS-2007-0033, FR Pub 08/28/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-17039.pdf)

7. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) or NVOCC/ ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows: