Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Congress May Have Enough Votes to Override a Veto of Farm Bill

2. DDTC Updates Average Export License Processing Times

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has updated its defense export licensing average processing times to include April 2008. The average processing times indicates a 'steady' decline - from March 07 (35 days) to October 07 (25 days), to April 08 (15 days). (DDTC, dated 05/05/05, available at http://pmddtc.state.gov/processtime.htm )

3. U.S. Calls on Global Producers to Help with Controlled Pharmaceuticals

The Justice Department reports that the U.S. has called on global producers to help develop increased chemical controls for methamphetamine precursors and controlled pharmaceuticals. (DOJ, dated 05/07/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/May/08_opa_384.html )

4. Representatives Ask 49 Food Processors About Contamination

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has issued a press release announcing that Chairman Dingell and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Stupak sent a letter of inquiry to 49 large food processing firms regarding their history of recalls, food safety alerts and all instances of known chemical or microbiological contamination of their products since January 1, 2000. These requests are part of an effort by the Committee to determine the source of safety threats to U.S. food supply. (Press release, dated 05/08/08, available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr258.shtml.)

5. Senate Committee to Mark Up the Truth in Cigarette Labeling Act of 2008

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has issued a press release announcing that on May 15, 2008 it will hold an Executive Session and, among other things, mark up S. 2685, Truth in Cigarette Labeling Act of 2008. (Press release, dated 05/08/08, available at http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=ddfa2829-dffd-4e04-85f7-ee15007edae9&Month=5&Year=2008.)

6. BIS Issues Correcting Amendment to Final Rule Amending EAR

The Bureau of Industry and Security issued a correcting amendment to its April 2008 final rule that amended the Export Administration Regulations to implement the results of a systematic review of the CCL. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/28/08 news, 08042815, for BP summary of final rule.) D/N 080307395-8515-01, FR Pub 05/08/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10309.pdf )

7. DOJ Announces Indictment of International Arms Dealer

The Justice Department issued a press release on the unsealing of an indictment against international arms dealer Viktor Bout for, among other things, conspiring to sell millions of dollars worth of weapons to the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (the FARC) - a designated foreign terrorist organization based in Colombia. (DOJ, dated 05/06/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/May/08_nsd_380.html )

8. FDA Issues Import Alert on Kinder Surprise Eggs

The Food and Drug Administration issued Import Alert 34-02, Detention Without Physical Examination of Kinder Surprise Eggs, as it contains a non-nutritive product (capsule with toy are enclosed inside the egg). (FDA IA 34-02, dated 05/06/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia3402.html )

9. ATF Announces Arrest of Four in Major Arms Trafficking Case

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives posted a press release announcing the breakup of a major weapons trafficking operation in Phoenix that supplied hundreds of AK-47 assault rifles, other long guns and handguns to criminal organizations in Mexico. (AZ State AG, dated 05/06/08, available at http://www.atf.treas.gov/press/2008press/field/050608pho_ariz-ag_announces_arrests.pdf )

10. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued one notice that lists those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier, ocean freight forwarder or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (applications) (FR Pub 04/30/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-9472.pdf