Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington Post reports that the World Trade Organization (WTO) has agreed to a European Union (EU) request to allow scientists to testify in the dispute brought by the U.S., Canada, and Argentina over the EU moratorium on approving genetically modified foods for sale in Europe. According to the Washington Post, this means that the WTO panel's report will be issued in late March 2005, rather than before the end of 2004. (Washington Post Pub 08/27/04, www.washingtonpost.com)
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1. WTO Ruling on EU Moratorium on Genetically Modified Foods Delayed Till March 2005
2. RSPA Proposes Miscellaneous Amendments to Hazmat Regulations
The Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has issued a proposed rule in which it proposes to make miscellaneous amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) based on petitions for rulemaking and RSPA initiatives. According to RSPA, these proposed amendments are intended to update, clarify, or provide relief from certain regulatory requirements. Comments on RSPA's proposed amendments are due by October 12, 2004. (RSPA proposed rule (FR Pub 08/12/04, D/N RSPA-04-18683 (HM-218C)) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18357.pdf.
3. USDA Forecasts Record $62 Billion in FY 2004 U.S. Agricultural Exports
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a press release announcing that its final export forecast for fiscal year (FY) 2004 indicates sales are expected to reach $62 billion, $5.8 billion more than last year. According to the press release, Canada remains the top market for U.S. agricultural products with exports estimated at $9.6 billion, followed by Japan at $8.9 billion and Mexico at $8.6 billion. (USDA press release No. 0366.04, dated 08/26/04, available at http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0366.04.html.
4. APHIS Proposed Rule on Methyl Bromide for Official Quarantine Uses
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule to establish regulations for the submission of requests by state, local, or tribal authorities for a determination whether methyl bromide treatments or applications required by the state, local, or tribal authorities to prevent the introduction, establishment, or spread of plant pests or noxious weeds should be authorized as official quarantine uses. Comments are due by October 12, 2004. (D/N 02-086-1, FR Pub 08/12/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18445.pdf)
5. FSIS Proposed Rule to Allow Exports of Meat & Products from San Marino into U.S.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a proposed rule to add San Marino to the list of countries eligible to export meat and meat products to the U.S. Comments are due by October 12, 2004. (D/N 01-029P, FR Pub 08/13/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18567.pdf)