Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On February 2, 2009, the Senate began consideration of H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka, the Economic Stimulus Bill), in order to make supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. (Daily Digest, dated 02/02/09, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r111:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20090202))
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1. Senate Begins Consideration of Economic Stimulus Bill
2. Obama Orders OMB to Develop Recommendations to Revamp Regulatory Reviews
President Obama has issued a memorandum directing the Office of Management and Budget to produce within 100 days a set of recommendations for a new Executive Order on Federal regulatory review. (Memo, FR Pub 02/03/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2434.pdf)
3. EU-China Strengthen Cooperation on IPR Protection, Preventing Illicit Drug Trade
On January 30, 2009, European Commissioner Kovcs signed an Action Plan with Chinese Ambassador Song to strengthen customs cooperation on protecting Intellectual Property Rights. They also signed an agreement on monitoring trade and preventing trafficking and the diversion of drug precursors. (Europa press release, dated 01/30/09) available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/193&format=HTML&aged=0&language=en&guiLanguage=en)
4. Global CITES Operation Nets over 4500 Endangered Species in One Day
A World Customs Organization press release states that a one day CITES operation carried out by 90 Customs administrations across the globe on January 15, 2009 reveal seizures totaling 4,630 endangered live species as well as products and derivatives. (WCO press release, dated 02/02/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=6&id=174)
5. DDTC Licensing Systems, Website Not Available 6 pm Feb 6 - 6 pm Feb. 7
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls states that the DDTC Licensing Systems and Web Site will not be availablefrom 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2009 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2009. During this time the Department's Facilities Management Staff will perform mandatory preventive and corrective maintenance on the emergency electrical systems in the building. All Systems will be available no later than Sunday morning, February 8, 2009. (Posted 02/02/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)
6. EPA Withdraws Proposed Rule on Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting
On January 23, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency withdrew a proposed rule for the establishment of monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements on facilities that produce, import, or emit greenhouse gases. (To see that the rule was withdrawn, click here and select "Environmental Protection Agency" from the second dropdown box.)(OMB submission available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?ruleID=293066)
7. OFAC Designates Additional Entities, Amends Others Under Drug Trafficking EO
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of two newly-designated entities (AQUILEA S.A. and MEGAPLAST S.A.) whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers. In addition, OFAC is publishing changes to the identifying information associated with five persons (see notice for previous and new listings for these persons) previously designated pursuant to EO 12978. These changes are effective January 28, 2009. (Notice, FR Pub 02/03/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2267.pdf)
8. BIS Emerging Technology and Research Committee Meeting on Feb 10th
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice announcing that its Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on February 10, 2009 in Washington, DC. Emerging technology and research will be discussed, including their applicability to deemed exports. (Notice, FR Pub 02/03/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2266.pdf)
9. BIS Materials Technology Committee Meeting on Feb 12th
BIS has issued a notice announcing that its Materials Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on February 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Notice, FR Pub 02/03/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2237.pdf)
10. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Australia Grain and Feed: New Support for Wheat Exporters to Develop Markets Announced
Germany Agricultural Situation: German and EU Consumers Misinterpret Traffic Light Labeling
New Zealand Agricultural Situation: NZ Dairy Cooperative Fonterra Reduces Milk Payout
Venezuela Agricultural Situation: Supermarket Tour
Venezuela Sugar: Tariff Rate Quota
Germany Bio-Fuels: EU action requires Germany to revise changes to biofuel law