Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to The Journal of Commerce, the submission to the Coast Guard of vessel and facility security plans by December 31, 2003 was only the first step as the crucial deadline is July 1, 2004, when vessels and shoreside facilities must have their security plans in operation. The article states that the Coast Guard plans to review the port security plans during the January-March 2003 time frame and by July 1, 2004, port facilities have to be operating in compliance. After that time, the Coast Guard will make unscheduled facility visits to make sure the plans are in operation. (JoC dated 01/12-18/04, www.joc.com.)
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1. Vessels and Facilities Face July 1, 2004 Deadline to Make Port Security Plans Operational
2. FDA Sends Warning Letters to Firms Importing Prescription Drugs from Canada
The Washington Post reports that three companies that help Americans buy cheap prescription drugs from Canada received warning letters on January 22, 2004 from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accusing them of providing services that are illegal and a threat to public health. The article notes that while the FDA has generally allowed individuals to travel to Canada to buy cheaper drugs, it has come down hard on companies that bring in bulk supplies for American consumers. (WP dated 01/23/04, www.washingtonpost.com.)
3. WTO Appeals Panel Provides U.S. Another Boost in Canada Lumber Dispute
The Wall Street Journal reports that a World Trade Organization (WTO) appeals panel reversed most of an earlier ruling that U.S. special duties on Canadian lumber were illegal. According to the article, this ruling is the second WTO boost for the U.S. lumber industry as on January 16, 2004, WTO officials said that a confidential WTO ruling in a related dispute upheld steep U.S. antidumping duties imposed on Canadian imports. The article further notes that a third ruling, in December 2003, ruled in favor of Canada on the question of how to assess damage to the U.S. lumber industry. (WSJ dated 01/20/04, www.wsj.com.)
4. BIS Amends EAR to Reflect Lifting of Sanctions against UNITA
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective January 22, 2004, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to remove references to the sanctions maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) against the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), as on May 6, 2003, the President terminated these sanctions by Executive Order. (D/N 031219324-3324-01, FR Pub 01/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-1280.pdf)
- APHIS Seeks Comments on EIS on Genetically Engineered Organisms
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice requesting comments by March 23, 2004 on an environmental impact statement (EIS) that it intends to prepare in connection with potential changes to its regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms. (D/N 03-031-2, FR Pub 01/23/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-1411.pdf)
6. BIS' Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee to Meet
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice stating that the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC) will hold a partially open meeting on February 9-10, 2004 in San Diego, CA in order to discuss, among other things, semiconductor manufacturing equipment controls and microprocessor roadmap and trends. (FR Pub 01/23/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-1533.pdf)
7. APHIS Foreign Animal & Poultry Diseases Subcommittee to Report on BSE at Open Meeting
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice stating that its Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases (Committee) will hold an open meeting on February 4, 2004 at which the subcommittee on the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the U.S. will make its report to the Committee. (D/N 04-006-1, FR Pub 01/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-1410.pdf)
8. ITC Requests OMB Approval for Worsted Wool Fabrics Questionnaires
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a notice announcing that it has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for an emergency review and clearance, by February 13, 2004, of its revised information collections entitled Questionnaire for U.S. Producers of Worsted Wool Fabrics and Questionnaire for U.S. Purchasers of Worsted Wool Fabrics. The ITC states that these questionnaires are used in connection with its second (and final) report on Investigation No. 332-449, U.S. Market Conditions for Certain Wool Articles in 2002 - 2004. (ITC notice (FR Pub 01/20/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-1128.pdf)
9. FDA Seeks Comments on Extension of Information Collection
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking comments on the proposed extension of the following information collection:
Information Collection | Comments Due |
Generic FDA Rapid Response Surveys | 03/08/04 |
(FDA notice (FR Pub 01/07/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-258.pdf)