The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule which would revise and update certain procedures and requirements for the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms in order to bring the regulations under 7 CFR Part 340 into alignment with the Plant Protection Act. Comments are due by November 24, 2008.
The Commerce Department filed, on October 10, 2008, a proposed rule with the Office of Management and Budget on a steel import monitoring and analysis system. (OMB EO 12866 Regulatory Review list available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch)
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service held a public meeting on October 14, 2008 to discuss the Lacey Act Amendment declaration requirement1 for imported plants and plant products that is scheduled to be enforced on a phased-in basis once the declaration can be filed electronically (approximately April 1, 2009).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice to inform the public of the new Lacey Act provisions enacted by the 2008 Farm Bill, including the declaration required to be submitted at time of importation for certain plants and plant products that takes effect on December 15, 2008, and APHIS' plan for phasing-in and enforcing this requirement.
The Chinese Government's Official Web Portal reports that China's State Council, the country's Cabinet, recently issued an implementation regulation for the Labor Contract Law in an effort to clarify confusion surrounding the law. (Chinese Government press release, dated 09/18/08, available at http://english.gov.cn/2008-09/18/content_1099209.htm)
The International Trade Data System has issued a press release stating that the power of partnership is becoming more obvious, particularly with respect to the seizure of unsafe products, as the implementation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Automated Commercial Environment extends to other government agencies.
On Monday, September 15, 2008, the President signed into law H.R. 6532, which transfers $8.017 billion to the Highway Trust Fund from the Treasury General Fund. (White House statement, dated 09/15/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080915-11.html.)
The Government Accountability Office issued its report entitled "Electronic Waste: EPA Needs to Better Control Harmful U.S. Exports through Stronger Enforcement and More Comprehensive Regulation." (GAO-08-1044, dated August 2008, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d081044.pdf)
Senators Snowe and Collins announced that CBP has agreed to their requests to replace the existing Port of Entry in Van Buren that was damaged during severe flooding in early May 2008. CBP will work with the U.S. General Services Administration to develop a plan to build a new permanent facility that will meet the economic needs of the region as well as the security needs of CBP. (Press release, dated 09/12/08, available at http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuseaction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=8cec5872-7156-4db8-9b57-d47083ecaa70&Month=9&Year=2008&Affiliation=R)
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is seeking immediate review of a U.S. District judge's denial of its request for a preliminary injunction against the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to halt implementation of their Clean Truck Program concession agreements. (ATA press release, dated 09/10/08, available at http://www.truckline.com/NR/exeres/127155D6-18F2-40BB-B1F3-7B673E316089.htm)