On June 14, 2004, the House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 97, which approves the renewal for an additional year of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (Act, Public Law (P.L.) 108-61). On June 24, 2004, the Senate passed H.J. Res. 97 without amendment, clearing the measure for the President.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has issued a notice stating that the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters (Convention, also referred to as the Johannesburg Convention) was open for signature at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels until June 28, 2004.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing a revised schedule for certain public meetings it is holding this summer in order to receive input from stakeholders on the modernization of its current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) for food.

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).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a general notice announcing that, effective June 28, 2004, it is concluding its Paperless Drawback Prototype (prototype).

The Commerce Department's Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) has issued its U.S. Possessions Report, which contains statistics through April 30, 2004 for U.S. imports from the Northern Marianas, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

The Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has issued both a final and proposed rule to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) in order to maintain alignment with certain international standards.

On June 14, 2004, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 4103, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Acceleration Act of 2004 (AGOA III). The Senate subsequently passed H.R. 4103 without amendment on June 24, 2004, clearing the measure for the President.

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 )

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has amended its antidumping (AD) duty order on certain color television receivers from China in order to correct ministerial errors in the scope of investigation as it was printed in the AD duty order.¹