Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. LA/LB Delay Consideration of Clean Port Plan's Employee-Driver Mandate

2. EC Launches Antitrust Inquiry into Pharmaceutical Sector

The European Commission has released a press release announcing that it has launched an inquiry into competition in the pharmaceuticals sector and is conducting unannounced inspections at the premises of a number of pharmaceutical companies. The EC has also released a frequently asked questions document on its antitrust pharmaceutical inquiry. (EC press release, IP/08/49, dated 01/16/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/49&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=pt and EC FAQ, MEMO/08/20, dated 01/16/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/20&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

3. State Department to Begin Issuing Pass Cards in Spring 2008

The State Department has issued a press release announcing that it has awarded a contract for the production of its new Passport Card (also called a Pass Card) which it will begin issuing in the spring of 2008 to provide U.S. land border resident communities a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The Passport Card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/11/08 news, 08011117, for BP summary of the State Dept.'s final rule on the passport cards.) (State Dept. press release, dated 01/15/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/jan/99370.htm)

4. ATF Conforms U.S. Munitions Import List to Revised ITAR

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has issued a final rule, effective December 26, 2007, which conforms the U.S. Munitions Import List to the revised International Traffic in Arms Regulations by amending the list of countries from which the importation of defense articles into the U.S. is proscribed; removing the arms embargo against Serbia and Montenegro; etc. (ATF Notice, D/N ATF-9F, FR Pub 12/26/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24910.pdf)

5. Final Rule Gives DEA Certain Export Authority for Controlled Substances

The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a final rule, effective January 25, 2008, amending its regulations to implement new legislation under the Controlled Substances Export Reform Act of 2005, which will allow the DEA to authorize the export of controlled substances from the U.S. to another country for subsequent re-export, if certain conditions and safeguards are satisfied. (DEA Final Rule, D/N DEA-276F, FR Pub 12/26/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24919.pdf)

6. Patent Office Changes Format of Notices in Electronic Gazette

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a notice stating it was discontinuing the separate weekly publication in paper form of its notices, and the annual publication in paper form of the consolidated listing of notices pertaining to its practices and procedures as of January 1, 2008. (Patent Office Notice, D/N PTO-P-2007-0049, FR Pub 12/26/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24961.pdf)

7. CBP Cancels Customs Broker Licenses With Prejudice

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker licenses have been canceled with prejudice:

(FR Pub 01/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E7-25611.pdf

8. PHMSA Recommendations for Bulk Loading and Unloading Hazardous Materials

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued a notice requesting comments on proposed recommended practices for loading and unloading operations involving bulk packagings used to transport hazardous materials. Comments must be submitted by February 8, 2008. (D/N PHMSA-2007-28119; Notice No. 07-9, FR Pub 01/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/07-6300.pdf)

9. CBP Draft EIS on Proposed Construction in San Diego Border Patrol Sector

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing that it has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement identifying and assessing the potential impacts associated with the proposed construction, operation, and maintenance of tactical infrastructure along the U.S./Mexico international border within San Diego Border Patrol Sector. The Draft EIS is available for comments, which must be received by February 19, 2008. (Notice, FR Pub 01/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E7-25589.pdf)

10. GAO Testimony on Combating Nuclear Smuggling

The Government Accountability Office has issued testimony entitled: "Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Additional Actions Needed to Ensure Adequate Testing of Next Generation Radiation Detection Equipment." Among other things, the GAO recommends that the Secretary of Homeland Security delay a production decision of advanced spectroscopic portal (ASP) monitors, which are used to detect nuclear smuggling, until all relevant studies and tests have been completed. (GAO-07-1247T, dated 09/18/07, available athttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d071247t.pdf)

11. GAO Testimony on Rates and Competition of the Freight Railroad Industry

The Government Accountability Office has issued testimony entitled: "Freight Railroads: Updated Information on Rates and Competition." Among other things, GAO recommends that the Surface Transportation Board review its method of data collection to ensure all freight railroads are consistently reporting revenues collected from shippers. (GAO-07-1245T, dated 09/25/07, available athttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d071245t.pdf)

12. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

APHIS Information Collection (FR Pub 12/26/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24901.pdf

DEA Information Collection (FR Pub 01/07/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E7-25596.pdf

FMCSA 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 12/26/07) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-6145.pdf

FMCSA 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 01/03/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E7-25579.pdf

ITA Information Collection (FR Pub 12/26/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24883.pdf