Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Senate passed S.J. Res 4 on March 3, 2005, a resolution to reject the Department of Agriculture (USDA) decision to lift the existing ban on imports of certain Canadian beef, and cattle less than 30 months of age. The vote came one day after a federal judge granted a temporary injunction sought by Western ranchers seeking to keep the ban in place. (WSJ 03/04/05, www.wsj.com; text of S.J. Res 4 available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:sj4es.txt.pdf)
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1. Senate Backs Ban on Imports of Certain Beef and Cattle from Canada
2. U.S. Prepared to Lift Objections to Iran's WTO Application, Etc.
The Washington File reports that the U.S. is prepared to lift its objection to an Iranian application to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and allow the sale of spare parts for Iranian commercial aircraft. The Secretary of State noted that these steps do not reflect a change in U.S. policy toward Iran, but rather a desire to support European diplomatic efforts aimed at encouraging Iran to renounce its ambitions to obtain a nuclear weapon. (Washington File 03/11/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=March&x=20050311174649ndyblehs0.6514093&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
3. World Bank Announces Two-Year Plan for its Re-engagement in Haiti
The Washington File reports that the World Bank has announced its re-engagement in Haiti to help the Caribbean nation reduce poverty and achieve social and economic stability. According to the Washington File, the World Bank approved a two-year Transitional Support Strategy for Haiti. (Washington File 03/11/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=March&x=20050311124316AEneerG0.1433985&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
4. U.N. Finds that More than 50% of World's Fisheries are Overexploited, Etc.
According to the State Department's Washington File, the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that more than 50% of the world's fisheries are overexploited, depleted, or in recovery from depletion. The FAO's report offers several ideas for replenishing fish stocks - decreasing or stopping fishing in some waters, reducing degradation of underwater environments, etc. (Washington File dated 03/07/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=March&x=20050307153525cmretrop0.2144129&t=gi/gi-latest.html.)
5. BIS Final Rule Removes References to Denied Persons "Supplement" Etc.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective February 23, 2005, that removes all reference in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to the "supplement" containing the list of persons denied export privileges ("Denied Persons List") because no such supplement exists in the Code of Federal Regulations. BIS has also announced that it is discontinuing its practice of including in the loose-leaf version of the EAR both the DPL and the "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons " (SDN) List. (BIS notice, FR Pub 02/23/05, D/N 050208029-5029-01, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-3465.pdf.)
6. APHIS Extends Comment Period for ANPR on Nursery Stock Import Regulations
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has extended the comment period to April 11, 2005 (from March 10, 2005) for its advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on whether and how the regulations in 7 CFR Part 319 that govern the importation of nursery stock should be amended. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/22/04 news, 04122225, for BP summary of the ANPR.) (D/N 03-069-2, FR Pub 03/10/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4705.pdf)