Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senate Committee Orders MARAD Reauthorization Bill Favorably Reported

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN02997:@@@L&summ2=m&.)

2. Senate Finance Chair Criticizes Korea's Delay in Lifting Ban on U.S. Beef

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus has issued a press release in which he criticizes Korea's decision to again delay lifting Korea's ban on U.S. beef products. The press release states that press reports indicate that Korea will delay implementation of a new protocol struck by the U.S. and Korean governments last month, which would have resumed U.S. beef exports to Korea and ended Korea's 5-year ban on U.S. beef products. (Press release, dated 05/14/08, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2008press/prb051408a.pdf.)

3. President Signs into Law Another Extension of the 2002 Farm Bill Trade Provisions

On May 18, 2008, the President signed into law H.R. 6051, a bill to extend certain trade and other provisions of the 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (2002 Farm Bill) until the earlier of May 23, 2008, or the date of the enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (H.R. 2419). (See today's ITT, 08051905, for BP summary of H.R. 2419, which has been passed by both the House and Senate.) (White House statement, dated 05/18/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/05/20080518-7.html.)

4. FMCSA Updates List of Carriers Eligible to Participate in Cross-Border Pilot

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted an updated list of Mexican-domiciled and U.S.-domiciled motor carriers that have been granted authority to participate in the U.S.-Mexico cross-border pilot program. (List available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/cross-border/cross-border-carriers.htm.)

5. Port of LA Re-Releases Draft Environmental Report for Terminal Project

The Port of Los Angeles has posted the Re-circulated Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/DEIR) for the proposed Berth 97-109 Container Terminal Project (China Shipping). With the posting of the draft document, a public comment period is now in effect until close of business on June 30, 2008. (LA Port press release, dated 05/02/08, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/News/2008/news_050208cs_deir.pdf)

6. Transatlantic Economic Council to Hold Second Meeting

The Transatlantic Economic Council will meet for the second time on May 13, 2008 in Brussels. The Council was created at the EU/US Summit in Washington in April 2007 to foster transatlantic economic integration. It aims to achieve better regulation, barrier-free and secure trade, protection of intellectual property rights, and integration of financial markets. (EU Delegation of the European Commission to the USA, dated 05/08/08, available at http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1751&Itemid=58)

7. EC Launches Public Consultation on Medical Devices

The European Commission has launched a public consultation with the aim to modernize and simplify the legislation on medical devices. (EC press release, dated 05/08/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/723&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

8. EC Commissioner for Consumers Discusses Toy Safety

European Commissioner for Consumers Meglena Kuneva recently visited the LEGO toy company in Denmark to discuss the important role of industry in ensuring toy safety. The visit comes in the run-up to the conclusion of a voluntary agreement, in which the European toy industry will engage in a common mission to spread best safety practices. (EC press release, dated 05/05/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/679&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

9. APHIS Proposes to Add Minimum Age Requirements for Transporting Animals

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations by adding minimum age requirements for the transport in commerce of animals (the regulations currently contain such requirements for dogs and cats only). APHIS is also proposing to amend the regulations to allow, provided certain conditions are met, for animals to be transported without their mothers for medical treatment and for scientific research before reaching the minimum age and weaning requirement. Comments are due on or before July 8, 2008. (APHIS proposed rule, D/N 2006-0024, FR Pub 05/09/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10400.pdf)

10. OFAC to Hold National Enforcement and Compliance Forum June 17, 2008

The Office of Foreign Assets Control will be holding a national forum on enforcement and compliance on June 17, 2008 in Washington, DC. (Forum brochure available at http://www.wileyrein.com/docs/docs/143.pdf)

11. National Forum on ITAR Compliance to be Held July 23-24, 2008

American Conference Institute will be presenting the third annual national forum on International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Compliance July 23-24, 2008 in Washington, DC. (Forum brochure available at https://webserv.c5groupinc.com/www_secure/search_mask.php?mode=basic&method=conf&company=aci&type=keyword&keywords=ITARcomplianceJuly23-24%2C2008)

12. FSIS Updates List of Eligible Foreign Plants in Brazil, Australia

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated lists of eligible plants in Brazil and Australia certified to export meat and/or poultry (ratites only) to the U.S. (Brazil list, dated 05/13/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Brazil_establishments.pdf; Australia list, dated 05/12/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Australia_establishments.pdf.)

13. FSIS Updates Meat/Poultry Export Requirements for China, Colombia, and New Zealand

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated meat and poultry export requirements for China, Colombia, and New Zealand. (China requirements, dated 05/12/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/China_Requirements/index.asp; Colombia requirements, dated 05/13/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Colombia_Requirements/index.asp; New Zealand requirements, dated 05/12/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/New_Zealand_Requirements/index.asp.)

14. FSIS Posts Updated Meat/Poultry/Egg Inspection Directory

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted an updated "Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory," a listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by FSIS. (List, dated 05/11/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/MPI_Directory_Establishment_Name.pdf.)

15. EU, U.S. Issue First Joint Open Investment Statement

The European Union and the U.S. issued their first joint statement on investment at the May 13, 2008 meeting of the Transatlantic Economic Council in which they both affirm their commitment to promoting open investment policies at home and abroad. (Statement, dated 05/13/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/301&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en.)