Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Senate Finance Chairman Baucus recently criticized Korea's decision to again delay lifting Korea's ban on U.S. beef products. According to press reports, 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. (Finance Committee press release, dated 05/14/08, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2008press/prb051408a.pdf)
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1. Senate Chairman Criticizes Korea's Delay in Lifting Ban on U.S. Beef
2. Treasury Report on Int'l Economic and Exchange Rate Policies
The Treasury Department has released its Semiannual Report on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies. (Treasury report, dated May 2008, available at http://www.treasury.gov/offices/international-affairs/economic-exchange-rates/)
3. Treasury Deputy Secretary's Remarks on U.S.-EU Open Investment Statement
Treasury Deputy Secretary Kimmitt welcomed the issuance of the U.S.-European Union Open Investment Statement by the U.S. and the European Commission (EC). (Secretary Kimmitt's remarks, dated 05/14/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp976.htm and EC press release on the Open-Investment Statement, MEMO/08/301, dated 05/13/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/301&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
4. BTS Releases Freight Transportation Services Index
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 1.9% in March from its February level, the largest monthly decline since August 2006. (BTS, dated 05/14/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/bts2108.htm)
5. AMS Re-Establishes Regulatory Authority for Livestock Reporting Program
The Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule, effective July 15, 2008, re-establishing the regulatory authority for the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program's continued operation and incorporating certain swine reporting changes. (D/N AMS-LS-07-0106, FR Pub 05/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10185.pdf)
6. APHIS Proposes to Allow Importation of Baby Squash, Courgettes from Zambia
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a proposed rule to amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation into the continental U.S. of baby squash and baby courgettes from Zambia. Comments are due on or before July 15, 2008. (D/N 2007-0144, FR Pub 05/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10920.pdf)
7. APHIS Proposes to Remove Panama from Screwworm Region List
APHIS issued a proposed rule to amend the regulations regarding the importation of live horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs by removing Panama from the lists of regions where screwworm is considered to exist. Comments are due on or before July 15, 2008. (D/N 2007-0141, FR Pub 05/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10918.pdf)
8. APHIS Proposes to Allow Importation of Certain Tomatoes from Moroccan Region
APHIS issued a proposed rule to allow the importation of commercial consignments of tomatoes from the Souss-Massa region of Morocco subject to a systems approach similar to that which is already in place for tomatoes imported into the U.S. from other areas of Morocco. Comments are due on or before July 15, 2008. (D/N 2008-0017, FR Pub 05/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10923.pdf)
9. NHTSA Corrects its VIN Final Rule
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is correcting its April 2008 final rule making certain changes in the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) system so that the system may remain viable for at least another 30 years. (D/N 2008-0022, FR Pub 05/16/07, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10831.pdf)
10. OFAC Adds 3 Belarus Entities to SDN List
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added the following three Belarusian entities to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list: Belarusian Oil Trade House, Lakokraska OAO, and Polotsk Steklovolokno OAO. (OFAC, dated 05/15/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080515.shtml)