The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued an interim rule, effective November 3, 2008, which adds Russia and Azerbaijan to the list of regions where African swine fever exists. APHIS notes that it is imposing these restrictions retroactively to November 19, 2007, for Russia, and to January 28, 2008, for Azerbaijan. Comments are due by January 2, 2009. (D/N APHIS-2008-0107, FR Pub 11/03/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26140.pdf)
The Department of Homeland Security has posted a border security and immigration enforcement fact sheet. Among other things, DHS states that it has completed more than 216 miles of pedestrian fence and 154 miles of vehicle fence on the southwest border, for a total of approximately 370 miles. (DHS fact sheet, dated 10/23/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1224777640655.shtm)
On May 22, 2008, new enforcement tools primarily designed to combat illegal logging were added as amendments to the Lacey Act. These amendments also place additional requirements on importers.
The World Trade Organization Secretariat reports that during the period January 1 - June 30, 2008, the number of initiations of new AD investigations showed a 39% increase compared with the corresponding period of 2007. The number of new measures applied also increased, although to a lesser extent, between these periods. (Press release, dated 10/20/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres08_e/pr542_e.htm)
1. President Signs GSP and ATPA/ATPDEA Extensions, DR "2 for 1" Apparel Benefit, AGOA "Abundant Supply" Repeal, Etc.
A number of documents have been posted to the International Trade Data System1 Web site, including one from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that discusses the functionality that will be available to certain ITDS Participating Government Agencies in future Automated Commercial Environment releases2.
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.