The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a press release announcing that FMC Chairman Steven R. Blust has announced that he intends to leave the FMC after the completion of his current term, once his replacement nominee has been confirmed by the Senate. The press release notes that Chairman Blust's term officially ends on June 30, 2006. (FMC press release NR-03, dated 06/13/06, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=220.)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 12, 2006, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by expanding export and reexport controls on certain biological agents and toxins (referred to as select agents and toxins) that have been determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to have the potential to pose a severe threat to human, animal, and plant life, as well as certain sectors of the U.S. economy (e.g. agriculture).
On June 8, 2006, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Susan C. Schwab as the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Schwab replaces Rob Portman, who was recently confirmed by the Senate as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (Congressional Record, 06/08/06, http://thomas.loc.gov.)
BIS Final Rule Amends EAR to Impose General Order on Mayrow General Trading and Its Related Entities
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 5, 2006, amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) at 15 CFR Parts 736 and 744 to impose a General Order on Mayrow General Trading and its related entities.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that it is withdrawing the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in which it identified certain recommendations made by the Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General (OIG) to revise the existing requirements and policies for deemed export licensing in 15 CFR Parts 734 and 772.
Sources at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have stated that they expect the U.S. to sign the bilateral World Trade Organization (WTO) accession agreement on market access with Vietnam after the Senate confirms Schwab as the new USTR. According to Washington Trade Daily, Schwab was not confirmed by the Senate (as expected) on Friday, May 26, 2006 due to a "hold" imposed by one Senator regarding an issue unrelated to her nomination. (WTD, dated 05/29/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice in which it (1) announces the creation of a Federal Advisory Committee that will review and provide recommendations to the Commerce Department on deemed export policy; and (2) provides an overview of steps BIS has taken to improve understanding of deemed export policy within industry and academia.
The Washington File reports that negotiators from the U.S. and Japan ended talks in Tokyo on May 19, 2006, without reaching a final agreement on conditions for the restoration of U.S. exports of beef and beef products to Japan. The article notes that the Japanese government accepted an in-depth audit report by the U.S. government; however, the two sides failed to establish a timeline for resolving the trade impasse, which has continued for four months. (Washington File Pub 05/22/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=May&x=20060522180452ASesuarK0.6474268&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a notice requesting nominations for individuals to be considered for selection as Peanut Standards Board members for the terms of office ending June 30, 2009. The Board advises USDA on the quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. (FV06-996-1N, FR Pub 04/11/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-5225.pdf)
The International Trade Administration's (ITA's) Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) will hold a plenary meeting on May 12, 2006 in which it will discuss, among other things, the Chinese market for environmental technologies, updated negotiations on the World Trade Organization's (WTO's) environmental goods and services trade liberalization, etc. (FR Pub 04/26/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-6271.pdf)