Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Three Companies Indicted in Tainted Pet Food Incidents

2. USTR/State Congratulate Ukraine on WTO Approval of its Accession Terms

On February 5, 2008, the World Trade Organization approved the terms of Ukraine's accession to the WTO, paving the way for Ukraine's membership in the WTO. The State Department and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative both issued press releases offering their congratulations. (WTO press release, dated 02/05/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres08_e/pr511_e.htm, State Dept. press release, dated 02/05/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/feb/100034.htm) and USTR press release, dated 02/05/08, available at http://geneva.usmission.gov/Press2008/February/0205UkraineMore.html)

3. FMCSA Posts Motor Carriers Participating in U.S.-Mexico Trucking Pilot

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted to its Web site the names and other identifying information of five U.S.-domiciled motor-carriers and twelve Mexico-domiciled motor carriers participating in the U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Trucking Pilot. FMCSA states that it has notified an additional 34 Mexico-domiciled motor carriers that they have successfully passed a pre-authorization safety audit. (FMCSA list, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/cross-border/cross-border-carriers.htm)

4. FAS Reports on EU Foods using Cloning/Nanotechnologies and Effect of Chinese Storms on Crops

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued two attach reports which respectively state: (1) In January 2008, the European Commission presented its proposal to revise the current rules on novel foods produced using new techniques such as animal cloning, nanotechnologies, etc.; and (2) Unprecedented storms in central and southern China in January 2008 directly impacted crops and indirectly affected transportation, electricity and storage. (Attach reports, released 02/04/08 and 02/06/08, available by query at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cots/attache.html)

5. WTO Appellate Body Releases its Annual Report for 2007

The World Trade Organization's Appellate Body has released its annual report for 2007 which provides a summary of the activities undertaken in 2007 by the Appellate Body and its Secretariat. (Appellate Body Annual 2007 Report, dated January 2008, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/ab_annual_report07_e.doc)

6. ITA Announces U.S., Russia Signing of Uranium Agreement Amendment

The International Trade Administration has issued a Federal Register notice announcing that the Commerce Department and Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency have signed an amendment to the suspension agreement on uranium from Russia, which will allow Russia to export Russian uranium products to the U.S. market in accordance with the export limits and other terms detailed in the amendment. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/11/08 news, 08021199 4, for BP summary of Commerce's press release announcing the signing of this amendment.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/14/07 news, 07121440, for BP summary of the ITA's request for comments on the draft initialed amendment, which is unchanged.) (ITA notice, FR Pub 02/11/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-608.pdf)

7. DHS Increases Funding, Extends Application Deadline for REAL ID

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced an increase in the total amount of funding available for REAL ID implementation and an extension of the deadline for fiscal year 2008 REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program applications. DHS is making an additional $48.5 million available to assist states with REAL ID implementation, and is extending the REAL ID grant applications deadline until March 7, 2008. (DHS, dated 01/29/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1201630837774.shtm)

8. AMS Reopens Comments on Proposed Voluntary Meat Marketing Standard

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a notice announcing that it is reopening and extending the comment period to March 3, 2008 for the proposed voluntary standard for a naturally raised marketing claim for livestock and the meat and meat products derived from such livestock. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/20/07 news, 07122099 10, for BP summary of the AMS' original request for comments.) (D/N AMS-LS-07-0131, FR Pub 01/31/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1722.pdf)

9. President Continues National Emergency With Respect to Conflict in Cote d'Ivoire

On February 5, 2008, the President determined to continue for one year the national emergency blocking property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire declared in Executive Order 13396, as the situation in or in relation to Cote d'Ivoire continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the U.S. (Notice, FR Pub 02/06/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-575.pdf)

10. BIS' Information Systems TAC to Hold Partially Open Meeting

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice announcing that the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on February 20 and 21, 2008 in San Diego, CA. The agenda for the public session of this meeting includes 3-D semiconductor technology, discussion on Wassenaar Proposals for 2008, and other various topics. (FR Pub 02/06/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-2150.pdf)

11. FDA Guidance For Processors of Certain Fish/Products

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice announcing the availability of a guidance document for seafood processors that sets forth the agency's recommendations for ensuring the safety of grouper, amberjack, and related predatory reef species captured in the northern Gulf of Mexico with respect to ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). (FDA Notice, D/N FDA-2008-D-0079, FR Pub 02/06/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-537.pdf)