The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') Web site has updated its tables which list information on trade bans imposed by foreign countries on U.S. exports due to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and avian influenza (avian flu).
According to Washington Trade Daily, final congressional action on legislation (HR 4520, S 1637) to repeal a US export tax break program remains stalled as lawmakers depart on June 25, 2004 for the Independence Day recess. The article states that Senate majority and minority leaders were unsuccessful in coming to an agreement that would clear the way for the Senate to conference with the House, adding that Congress returns from its recess on July 6. (WTD dated 06/25/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
Washington Trade Daily reports that U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick has accused Senate Democrats of holding up quick action on legislation (S. 2529) to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preference program. The article states that the bill is identical to H.R. 4103 (known as AGOA III) that was recently passed by the House. (WTD dated 06/18/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a toll-free number to report high-risk cattle in the U.S. According to APHIS, the toll-free number for the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance program is 1(866) 536-7593. APHIS explains that as part of its expanded BSE surveillance effort, it will work closely with cattle producers, renderers, veterinarians, and others to obtain samples from high-risk cattle targeted in this program. APHIS states that toll-free callers reporting high-risk cattle will connect with a local APHIS office that will provide additional information. (APHIS Pub, dated 06/08/04, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/sa_ahbsetollfree.html)
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a final rule that implements the voluntary early retirement provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which apply to most executive branch agencies. This final rule, effective June 14, 2004, explains how an agency requests authority from OPM to offer voluntary early retirement to its employees. (FR Pub 06/15/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13484.pdf)
On June 14, 2004, the House Ways and Means Committee approved H.R. 4520, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, which would, among other things, repeal the Foreign Sales Corporation//Extraterritorial Income Tax (FSC/ETI) regime. According to the Committee, the full House is expected to consider H.R. 4520 during the week of June 14, 2004. The Senate passed its own FSC/ETI repeal legislation (S. 1637), on May 11, 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/13/04 news, 04051399 1, for previous BP summary on S. 1637.) (Committee press release, dated 06/14/04, available at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=release&ID=227.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued the May 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Modernization newsletter, which is highlighted below:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') Web site contains tables which list information on trade bans imposed by foreign countries on U.S. exports due to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and avian influenza (avian flu).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule that would amend its regulations at 7 CFR Parts 301 and 319 which govern the importation of fruits and vegetables in order to, among other things, expand the number of States in which fresh Hass avocado fruit grown in approved orchards in approved municipalities in Michoacan, Mexico (avocados) may be distributed.
On May 20, 2003, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a proposed rule to require imported solid wood packing material (SWPM) to be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide, as well as marked, prior to importation in accordance with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15 entitled "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade."