Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senate Finance Leadership Commits to Moving AGOA Extension Bill

2. US Supreme Court May Rule on Mexican Truck Travel as Early as June

In remarks to North America's Superhighway Coalition Transportation Forum on April 30, 2004, the Secretary of Transportation expressed the Administration's support for opening the market between Mexico and the U.S. for trucking and busing. The Secretary anticipated a Supreme Court decision as early as June 2004 concerning a lawsuit that has blocked implementation of the U.S.' commitment to allow truck travel across its borders. (DOT Sec'y Remarks, dated 04/30/04, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/minetasp043004.htm)

3. TSA Announces Rail Security Pilot Program at Maryland Train Station

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a press release announcing that on May 4, 2004 it launched a test program to measure the feasibility of explosives screening for people and bags traveling on U.S. trains. TSA states that Amtrak and Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) passengers boarding at the New Carrollton train station will be screened for explosives as part of a pilot project to make rail travel safer. (TSA Press Release, dated 05/04/04, available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800a0ce4)

4. WCO and Interpol To Host Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Interpol are hosting the First Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting, which will take place in Brussels, Belgium on May 25 -26, 2004. (WCO Press Release available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Press/WCO-Interpol-MA1.htm)

5. President Bush Expresses Support for EU Enlargement

President Bush has issued a statement applauding the action taken by the European Union (EU) to extend membership to ten new countries from Central Europe and the Mediterranean. The President also welcomed the prospect of further EU enlargement to qualified countries, including Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. (Statement dated 05/03/04, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040503-1.html)

6. Secretary of Agriculture Announces Appointment of Biotechnology Committee Members

The Office of the Secretary of Agriculture has issued a notice announcing the appointment of nine individuals to fill vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture. The notice states that appointments are for a two-year term, effective February 13, 2004 through February 12, 2006. (FR Pub 04/20/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8847.pdf)

7. CBP Issues Correction to Notice on Presentation of Mandatory Advance Electronic Cargo Info for Rail Carriers

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a correction to its April 12, 2004 Federal Register notice announcing compliance dates for advance electronic presentation of cargo information for rail carriers. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/12/04 news, 04041205, for BP summary of this notice.) (FR Pub 04/23/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/23apr20040800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/C4-8199.pdf)

8. NMFS Continues to Allow Certain Tuna to be Imported from Mexico

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a notice stating that, effective April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004, it has renewed the affirmative finding for Mexico under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This renewal will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by Mexican-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Mexican jurisdiction to continue to be imported into the U.S. (FR Pub 02/09/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-2716.pdf)

9. Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Sell Illegal Fireworks to Consumers

The CPSC has issued a press release stating that Gerald Lee Dunnegan, owner of Advanced Imports Inc., was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for conspiring to sell illegal fireworks and for making false statements. The press release states that Dunnegan was also permanently banned from manufacturing, importing, or distributing fireworks. (CPSC press release 01-130, dated 04/28/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr04.html)

10. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The CPSC has issued separate press releases (dated 04/20/04-05/03/04) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below: (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr04.html)

11. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections Submitted to OMB

The following agencies have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval/clearance the following information collections:

¹ FR Pub 04/23/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-9307.pdf

² FR Pub 04/21/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8961.pdf

12. ITA Seeks Comments on Information Collection

The International Trade Administration (ITA) is seeking comments on the following information collection:

FR Pub 04/23/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-9306.pdf