Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington Times reports that assaults against Border Patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border have more than doubled over the past two years, many by Mexico-based alien and drug gangs. (Washington Times, dated 11/15/07, available at http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/NATION/111150077/1001)
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1. Assaults on Border Patrol Agents on U.S.- Mexico Border Double in 2 Years
2. TSA Announces Initial TWIC Enrollment Dates for Several Ports
The Transportation Security Administration has issued several notices announcing the dates for the beginning of the initial enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential. TWIC enrollment was to have begun on November 21, 2007 for the ports of Lake Charles, LA; Dundalk, MD; Minneapolis, MN; and St. Paul, MN. TSA has also announced that initial TWIC enrollment will begin on November 28, 2007 for Charleston, SC and on November 29, 2007 for Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; and Port Fourchon, LA. Initial TWIC enrollment will begin on November 30, 2007 for Boston, MA and on December 5, 2007 for Brownsville, TX. (TSA, D/N TSA-2006-24191, FR Pub 11/16/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-22422.pdf, TSA, D/N TSA-2006-24191, FR Pub 11/19/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-22584.pdf and TSA, D/N TSA-2006-24191, FR Pub 11/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-22754.pdf)
3. APHIS Reopens Comments on Proposed List of Threatening Agents/Toxins
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice that if is reopening the comment period for its proposed rule that would amend and republish the list of select agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products. Comments are now due on or before December 3, 2007. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/12/07 news, 07091299 6, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (D/N APHIS-2007-0033, FR Pub 11/16/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-22431.pdf)
4. Int'l Economic Policy Committee Meeting on Total Economic Engagement
The State Department has issued a notice that its Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy will hold an open meeting on December 5, 2007 in Washington, DC, which will focus on Total Economic Engagement, including a regional focus on Latin America, the pending U.S. free trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, Panama, and Korea, and Subcommittee reports and discussions led by the Strategic Regions Subcommittee and the Economic Sanctions Subcommittee. (Public Notice 5995, FR Pub 11/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-22750.pdf)
5. Materials Processing Equipment TAC to Hold Partially Open Meeting
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice that its Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on December 13, 2007 in Washington, DC. The agenda for the public session includes presentation of papers and comments by the public, a report of 2008 Wassenaar proposals, and a report on proposed changes to the Export Administration Regulations. (FR Pub 11/20/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-22616.pdf)
6. Regulations and Procedures TAC to Hold Partially Open Meeting
BIS has issued a notice that its Regulations and Procedures TAC will hold a partially open meeting on December 4, 2007 in Washington, DC. The agenda for the public session includes presentation of papers or comments by the public, comments on the Commerce Control List Review, comments on encryption, working group reports, an export enforcement update, and an Automated Export System (AES) update. (FR Pub 11/20/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-22615.pdf)
7. USDA Grants Protection to 14 New Plant Varieties
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued certificates of protection to developers of 14 new varieties of seed-reproduced and tuber-propagated plants, including bean, fescue, potato, soybean, and wheat. AMS states that owners will have the exclusive right to reproduce, sell, import and export their products in the U.S. for the duration of protection. (AMS No. 196-07, dated 11/19/07, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/196-07.htm)