Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Senate Finance Committee has issued a press release stating that S. 2529, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Acceleration Act of 2004, was introduced in the Senate on June 16, 2004. According to the press release S. 2529 is a companion measure to, and identical to, H.R. 4103 which was passed by the House on June 14, 2004. (This legislation is often referred to as AGOA III. Senate Finance Committee release, dated 06/16/04), available at http://www.senate.gov/finance/press/Gpress/2004/prg061604a.pdf )
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1. AGOA III Bill, Identical to House-Passed Measure, Introduced in Senate
2. EPA Issues Direct Final Rule & Proposed Rule to Conform & Correct Regulations With Regard to the Montreal Protocol
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a direct final rule that (1) conforms its regulations at 40 CFR Part 82, which govern the trade of certain ozone depleting substances, with the Montreal Protocol, and (2) corrects a drafting error in these regulations. The EPA states that it views this action as a non-controversial action and anticipates no adverse comment.
However, the EPA has also issued a proposed rule that would also make the above-described amendments and corrections. EPA states that this proposed rule has been issued in the event that adverse comment is received in connection with the direct final rule and it is withdrawn. This proposed rule would be the basis on which FDA would develop any subsequent final rule. Comments on the direct final rule may be submitted until July 19, 2004. If requested by July 2, 2004, a hearing will be held on July 19, 2004 and the comment period for the proposed rule will be extended until August 2, 2004. (FR Pub 06/17/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13680.pdf (direct final rule) and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13681.pdf (proposed rule))
3. AMS to Hold Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Meeting
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee open meeting on July 13-14, 2004 for which topics to be discussed include the organizational structure of the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act Program, federal crop insurance programs, agricultural labor, and USDA programs that encourage increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. (FR Pub 06/17/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13691.pdf)
4. Proposed Marine Equipment MRA with Norway, Iceland, & Liechtenstein
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is requesting comments by July 16, 2004 regarding a proposal to negotiate a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) on marine equipment with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries that are part of the European Economic Area (EEA) (i.e., Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), which would parallel the U.S.-European Community (EC) marine equipment MRA. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/08/04 news, 04030899 3, for BP summary of the U.S.-EC MRA.) (FR Pub 06/16/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13576.pdf)