In October 2007, the Office of Foreign Assets Control authorized all specific licenses and all nongovernmental organization (NGO) registrations issued pursuant to Executive Order 13067 or the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (SSR) prior to October 13, 2006 to remain in effect until the expiration date specified in the license or registration, or, if no expiration date is specified, to remain in effect until June 30, 2008.
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued an Order to Show Cause for Central Agency of Florida, Inc., operating as an ocean transportation intermediary, for failure to designate and maintain a qualifying individual (QI). If Central Agency does not show cause, the FMC will order it to cease and desist from operating as an OTI. (FMC Order, D/N 08-02, dated 06/06/08, available at http://www.fmc.gov/UserFiles/pages/File/Dkt_08-02_Order_to_Show_Cause.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted its report to Congress on the Automated Commercial Environment for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008 (January 1, 2008 - March 31, 2008). The report provides an update on ACE accomplishments, challenges, fiscal status, and upcoming program milestones.
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.)
The Justice Department reports that two CBP officers and five others were arrested on narcotics importation and bribery conspiracy charges. According to the criminal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, the arrests were the culmination of an investigation into a network of individuals importing large quantities of hashish and other controlled substances as well as contraband into the U.S. through John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. (Justice Dept. press release, dated 05/28/08, available at http://newyork.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/drugcorruption052808.htm)
The Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the University of Arkansas, is announcing a public workshop entitled "Food Labeling Workshop," which is intended to provide information about FDA food labeling regulations and other related subjects to the regulated industry, particularly small businesses and startups. The workshop will be held on August 12-13, 2008 in Fayetteville, AR. (FR Pub 06/03/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12301.pdf)
Deutsche Post World Net, a leading transport and logistics company, announced a plan to restructure its DHL U.S. Express business by working with United Parcel Service for airlift capacity and reducing costs in its ground infrastructure. (DHS press release, dated 05/28/08, available at http://www.dhl.com/publish/g0/en/press/release/2008/280508.high.html.)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) has released "Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (SAP 4.3): The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States." The CCSP integrates the federal research efforts of 13 agencies on climate and global change. (Press Release No. 0136.08, dated 05/27/08, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/05/0136.xml.)
On May 19, 2008, the Federal Maritime Commission held an industry briefing with the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association, which covered a number of current issues and concerns, including equipment shortages in the export trades and marine terminal issues. (FMC dated 05/21/08, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=245 )
On May 22, 2008, the Senate overrode the President's veto of H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill), enacting 14 of 15 Farm Bill titles into law (one was inadvertently omitted from the enrolled bill). On May 22, 2008, the House passed the complete farm bill (all 15 titles) under a new bill number (H.R. 6124). (S. 2419 information available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02419.)