Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On June 23, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported S. 3181, a bill to make appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. (Congressional Record, dated 06/23/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080623)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
1. DHS FY 2009 Appropriations Bill Favorably Reported by Committee
2. Commerce FY 2009 Appropriations Bill Favorably Reported by Committee
On June 23, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported S. 3182, a bill to make FY 2009 appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. (Congressional Record, dated 06/23/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080623)
3. Senate Seafood Bill Ordered to be Favorably Reported by Committee
On June 24, 2008, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee ordered favorably reported without amendment a bill (S. 2907) to close the gaps in U.S. law that currently allow illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fish products to enter the U.S. (Committee press release, dated 06/24/08, available at http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=32ec421d-d4c2-436e-a125-941fa2639184&Month=6&Year=2008.)
4. Senate Finance Concludes Oversight Hearing to Examine Trade Functions
On June 24, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine trade functions, focusing on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other trade agencies, after receiving testimony from CBP Commissioner Basham; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Secretary Myers; Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy Skud; International Trade Commission Vice Chairman Pearson; and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative General Counsel Maruyama. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/27/08 and 06/26/08 news, 08062705 and 08062605, for BP summaries of CBP Commissioner Basham's testimony.) (Congressional Record, dated 06/24/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080624)
5. FTC Completes Regulatory Review of Leather Guides
The Federal Trade Commission has issued a notice, effective June 18, 2008, announcing that it has completed the regulatory review of its Guides for Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products as part of its systematic review of all current FTC regulations and guides, and has decided to retain the Guides in their current form. (FTC notice, FR Pub 06/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-13656.pdf.)
6. ITA Solicits Projects to Strengthen U.S. Competitiveness
The International Trade Administration, as part of its Market Development Cooperator Program, has issued a notice soliciting projects to strengthen U.S. competitiveness to be conducted by eligible entities for periods of up to three years. Proposals must be received by no later than 5 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2008. (ITA notice, D/N 080609747-8749-01, FR Pub 06/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-13599.pdf.)
7. DHS, Bulgaria Sign Visa Waiver Program Interim Declaration
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing that it has signed a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) interim declaration with Bulgaria. The security enhancements outlined in the declaration continue Bulgaria's progress on the path toward visa-free travel to the U.S., and possible designation as a VWP member. (DHS press release, dated 06/17/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1213717127852.shtm)
8. DHS OIG Report on IP Version 6
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General released its report entitled, "DHS Must Address Internet Protocol Version 6 Challenges." In July 2005, DHS assigned Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as the network steward to maintain and operate DHS' unclassified WAN (DHS' network backbone), referred to as DHS OneNet. DHS has committed to consolidating its network infrastructure to OneNet to improve network services between its components. DHS' goal is to ensure that OneNet will be IPv6 capable by June 30, 2008. (DHS report OIG-08-61, dated May 2008, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-61_May08.pdf.)
9. Commerce Dept Launches India Business Center
The Department of Commerce has issued a press release announcing the establishment of a new India Business Center, housed in the Trade Information Center of the U.S. Commercial Service. The IBC will help U.S. companies take advantage of emerging market opportunities and the fast growing purchasing power of the middle class in India. (Commerce press release, dated 06/17/08, available at http://trade.gov/press/press_releases/2008/india-bic_061708.asp.)
10. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Eligible Foreign Establishments
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated beef export requirements forRussia. In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in, Czech Republic (meat) and Romania (meat) certified to export meat, poultry and egg products to the U.S.
11. Canada, Japan to Deploy Border Officers to Each Other's Country as Part of CSI
Canada Border Services Agency has issued a news release announcing that Canada and Japan will be placing border officers at key strategic locations in each other's country by the end of this year under the Container Security Initiative. (CBSA news release, dated 06/17/08, available at http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/release-communique/2008/2008-06-17-eng.html.)
12. CBSA Updates Its Memo on Copyright and Trademarks
The Canada Border Services Agency posted an updated version of Memorandum D19-4-3: Copyrights and Trademarks, which outlines and explains legislation governing the role of CBSA in dealing with counterfeit trademark goods or pirated copyright goods. (CBSA notice, dated 06/17/08, available at http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-4-3-eng.html)
13. National Maritime Security Committee to Hold Open Web Based Meeting
The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee will hold an open web based meeting to discuss various issues relating to Maritime Security, including the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), on July 22, 2008. (D/N USCG-2008-0499, FR Pub 06/25/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-14368.pdf)