The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a press release inviting interested parties to attend a public meeting on its proposed rule to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The meeting will be held April 29, 30, 2009 in Riverdale, MD.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations to provide for the resumption of imports of certain wooden handicrafts from China under certain conditions.
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a notice, effective April 21, 2009, which grants a nationwide waiver of the Buy American requirements of Section 1605 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, economic stimulus bill) for eligible projects for which debt was incurred on or after October 1, 2008 and before February 17, 2009, the date of enactment of ARRA. This action permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods in such projects funded by ARRA that may otherwise be prohibited under section 1605(a). (FR Pub. 04/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7828.pdf)
The White House has issued a press release on the President's April 2, 2009 meeting with South Korea's President. According to the press release, both Presidents agreed that the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement could bring benefits to both countries and committed to working together to chart a way forward. (Press release, dated 04/02/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-Following-President-Obamas-Meeting-with-President-Lee-of-the-Republic-of-Korea/.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its recently issued Participating Government Agencies Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) chapter.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture on March 31, 2009, outlining the Administration's plans to bring reform to USDA and discussing how the President's budget will revitalize rural America. Among other things Secretary Vilsack stated that while the country as a whole has a trade deficit, agriculture has a trade surplus estimated to be $13 billion in FY 2009. (USDA, dated 03/31/09, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/03/0078.xml)
During his announcement of a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the President called on Congress to pass a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Representatives Cantwell, Van Hollen and Hoekstra that creates opportunity zones in the border regions to develop the economy and bring hope to places plagued with violence. See future issue of ITT for additional details on this legislation. (Press release, dated 03/27/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-a-New-Strategy-for-Afghanistan-and-Pakistan/.)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective April 29, 20091, which incrementally increases user fees in fiscal years 2009 through 2013 for import- and export-related services that APHIS provides for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service have issued instructions regarding the submission of the automated and paper versions of the Lacey Act Amendments Plant and Plant Products Declaration (PPQ 505).
According to several sources, U.S. Customs and Border Protection may soon announce a one month delay - until May 1, 2009 - of its enforcement of the Lacey Act Amendments declaration requirement for certain wood and wood articles classified in HTS Chapter 44 that are imported by rail or truck.