Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senate Passes its Own Version of Energy Legislation

2. Colombia FTA Fight Could Hurt Future Deals

Reuters reports that U.S. farm and business groups have expressed concern that the recent showdown between the White House and Congress over a free trade agreement with Colombia has hurt the U.S.' ability to negotiate future deals. This is because the 90 day approval or rejection procedure that the House of Representatives has voted to change, gives U.S. trading partners some assurance that Congress will act quickly on trade agreements negotiated by the White House. (Reuters, dated 04/10/08, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1034010320080410)

3. U.S. Trade Gap Widened in February

Market Watch reports that according to the Commerce Department, the U.S. trade deficit widened unexpectedly in February by 5.7% to $62.3 billion, from a revised $59 billion in January. As a result, first quarter gross domestic product could be even weaker than expected. (Market Watch, dated 04/10/08, available at http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BFF6294DA-478D-4A58-A89B-8FAA0E365E84%7D&siteid=mktw)

4. Korea to Adopt International Supply Chain Safety Standards

SupplyChainer reports that South Korea will adopt international standards governing supply chain safety to help local companies overcome potential delays in product shipping. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards said it has designated Korea Register as the body to issue ISO 28000 certification to local companies that meet rigorous safety and control criteria. (SupplyChainer, dated 04/07/08, available at http://www.supplychainer.com/50226711/south_korea_adopts_international_supply_chain_safety_standards.php)

5. Voluntary Disclosures Still Occur Even Though IEEPA Penalties Increased

American Shipper reports that BIS officials stated at a recent meeting of the Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee that the rise in IEEPA penalties is not discouraging voluntary self-disclosure, noting that such disclosures are a "great weight" mitigating factor. (AS, April 2008, www.americanshipper.com)

6. U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement Takes Effect

The State Department reports that the comprehensive first stage of the U.S.-European Union was scheduled to begin on March 30, 2008. Under the Agreement, all U.S. and EU airlines may fly between any point in the EU and any point in the U.S. without restrictions on routes, the number of flights, or prices charged. (State Release 2008/233, dated 03/28/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/mar/102778.htm)

7. Transcript for BIS "Deemed Export" Training Slide Show

The Bureau of Industry and Security has made available the transcript for a slide presentation on deemed exports, a module in its Series on Commerce Export License Requirements. The series is designed for people who are new to exporting, and, in particular, new to export controls. (BIS Deemed Export module transcript available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/training-modules/deemed_exports_transcript.pdf)

8. Bird Flu Situation in Indonesia Serious, Human Influenza Endemic Possible

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that the prevalence of avian influenza in Indonesia remains serious and warns that a high load of circulating virus could lead to mutation and a human influenza pandemic. Despite containment efforts, Indonesia is the country worst hit by avian influenza, with 31 out of 33 provinces being infected and the highest human mortality rate from bird flu in the world. (FAO, dated 03/18/08, available at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2008/1000813/index.html)

9. USDA/HHS Intend to Establish 2010 Dietary Guidelines Committee

The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services intend to establish a Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and invite nominations for the Committee, which will evaluate whether a 2010 revision of the 2005 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is warranted. (FR Pub 04/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-7614.pdf)

10. FDA Revises Import Alert on Detention of Dried Fruits

The Food and Drug Administration revised Import Alert 21-04 which provides for detention without physical examination and increased surveillance of dried fruits. FDA states that the revision provides additional guidance, updated product codes, and includes formatting changes. (FDA Import Alert 21-04, dated 04/04/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia2104.html)

11. Improvements Expand Beef Exports from Argentina, Uruguay

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service reports in the April 2008 issue of Amber Waves, that Argentina and Uruguay are increasingly important suppliers of beef in global markets and the keys to both countries' success in international markets have been their improvements in certification and traceability programs. (Amber Waves, dated 04/08, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April08/Features/GlobalMarket.htm)

12. State Dept Int'l Communications Committee Open Meeting

The State Department's Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information will hold a public meeting on April 17, 2008 in Washington, DC. (State P/N 6164, FR Pub 04/01/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6677.pdf)

13. CG Chemical Transportation Sub/Committee Open Meetings

The Coast Guard's Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee; its Subcommittees on Outreach, National Fire Protection Association 472 Standard, Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security, and International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code; as well as its Working Group on Barge Emissions and Hazard Communication will hold open meetings in Washington, DC, on April 22-24, 2008. (CG D/N USCG 2008-0190, FR Pub 04/01/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6618.pdf)