Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On June 5, 2008, the Senate passed H.R. 6124, the "complete" (i.e., all 15 titles) of the Farm Bill, clearing the measure for the President. (The previously enacted version of the Farm Bill was incomplete (i.e., missing Title III (Trade).) (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/27/08 news, 08052705, for previous BP summary regarding the Farm Bill and H.R. 6124.)(Information on H.R. 6124 available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.06124.)
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1. Senate Passes Farm Bill with All 15 Titles, Now Cleared for President
2. WTO Chair Issues Rules Document on AD and Other Subsidies
The World Trade Organization Chair of the Negotiating Group on Rules issued a working document regarding negotiations on rules. The document, which takes the form of a cover note and three annexes relating to antidumping, horizontal subsidies and fisheries subsidies, seeks to convey the reactions to the Chair's first draft texts and, to the extent possible, to identify the many suggested changes put forward by delegations. (WTO document, dated 05/28/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/rules_28may08_e.htm)
3. EU Moves to Ban Mercury Exports, Criminalize Harmful Environmental Acts
The European Parliament gave its backing to draft legislation which makes acts that cause serious damage to the environment a crime throughout the European Union. The directive is set to be adopted in a co-decision by both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU at a later stage. The EC also welcomed the European Parliament's action on a regulation that will ban mercury exports. (dated 05/12/08, available at http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1762&Itemid=58)
4. OPIC Signs Agreement to Provide Political Risk Insurance to Palestinian Business
The President and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation signed an agreement enabling OPIC to support a new public-private facility that will provide political risk insurance to Palestinian export-related businesses and local and foreign investors. (dated 05/22/08, available at http://www.opic.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/pr052208.asp)
5. OFAC Notice on Entity Designated Under Belarus EO
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing changes to the identifying information associated with one entity (Belarusian Oil Trade House) previously designated on May 15, 2008, pursuant to Executive Order 13405 of June 16, 2006, Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus. (FR 05/29/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11987.pdf)
6. US-VISIT Hearing on Collection of Alien Biometric Data Upon Exit
The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program has issued a notice of a public hearing on June 13, 2008, in Arlington, VA, on "Collection of Alien Biometric Data upon Exit from the United States at Air and Sea Ports of Departure." (FR 05/29/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12021.pdf)
7. DHS OIG Report on Procurement of Untrained Canines
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General released its report entitled, "A Review of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Procurement of Untrained Canines." (OIG-08-46, dated April 2008, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-46_Apr08.pdf)
8. FDA White Paper on "Sentinel Initiative" for Medical Products
In a white paper released by the Food and Drug Administration, the agency describes plans for the Sentinel Initiative, which will include the development of a new electronic system that will enable FDA to query a broad array of information to identify possible post-market adverse events for medical products, including prescription drugs. (FDA Webpage on this initiative available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/advance/reports/report0508.html , press release dated 05/22/08 available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/05/20080522a.html)
9. DHS and NSA Speak on Proliferation Security Initiative
DHS Secretary Chertoff and National Security Advisor Hadley spoke about the Proliferation Security Initiative on its fifth anniversary. This initiative includes more than 90 nations in the fight against the flow of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, their delivery systems, and related material across our collective borders. (Chertoff statement, dated 05/29/08, available http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1211982813373.shtm)
10. FAS' Global Agricultural Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
China Cotton and Products: Annual
European Union-27 Agricultural Situation: EU Council stalls pesticide review
India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 21