The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice announcing that it is withdrawing its June 20, 2002 proposed rule that would have, among other things, allowed inspectors from APHIS to require that cargo be returned to the port of first arrival or, if convenient, another location as specified by APHIS for inspection when necessary.

Two Harvey Electronics investors who pushed for selling or merging the chain, or taking it private, have reduced their stake in the metropolitan N.Y.C. operation, according to documents filed at the SEC. Matthew Larson, an exec. investments dir. at Oppenheimer, and his wife, Alicia, sold 64,000 shares March 4-12 for $93,662, reducing their investment to 301,600 shares (9%), the filing said. The Larsons owned 365,800 shares (11%) last fall after buying 37,000 in 11 transactions between July and Sept. Matthew Larson has called the chain “well managed,” but said he believed Harvey’s $2.85 million market cap didn’t mesh with its annual sales of $42-$43 million.

The Washington Trade Daily (WTD) reports that the AFL-CIO has filed a Section 301 petition with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) urging bilateral negotiations with China to correct what it believes are China's inadequate labor practices and laws. The AFL-CIO asserts that these practices and laws are tantamount to unfair trade practices. (WTD Pub 03/17/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com)

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule which would amend its regulations at 7 CFR Part 319 regarding the importation of wheat from regions affected with Karnal bunt.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reopened until April 7, 2004, the comment period for a proposed rule to amend its regulations regarding the importation of animals and animal products to recognize, and add Canada to, a category of regions that present a minimal risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) into the U.S. via live ruminants and ruminant products.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued a notice announcing that the U.S. and Vietnam have amended the existing U.S.-Vietnam textile and apparel visa arrangement in order to implement the Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) for textiles and apparel that are subject to quota limits, that are produced or manufactured in Vietnam and exported on or after March 22, 2004.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted to its Web site information on a series of public meetings that will provide an overview of the FDA's October 10, 2003 interim final rules on the registration of food facilities and the prior notice of imported food shipments.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted to its Web site a third version of its Questions & Answers (Q&A) document regarding the registration of food facilities, which is effective immediately.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice which corrects its October 10, 2003 interim final rule that requires, effective December 12, 2003, the submission to the FDA of prior notice of food (including animal feed) that is imported or offered for import into the U.S..

The Entertainment Software Assn. (ESA) said Thurs. it was calling on the U.S. govt. to encourage foreign govts. to create and enforce anti-organized crime laws against pirating organizations. Citing the continuing influence of organized crime in entertainment software counterfeiting and piracy, ESA said it was joining with other groups that were part of the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) to file a “Special 301” report today (Fri.) on the state of piracy in more than 50 countries and would ask the U.S. govt. “to help ensure that these countries improve protections for intellectual property rights in accord with international obligations.” ESA Pres. Douglas Lowenstein said the report and Special 301 process were “critical tools in the U.S. government’s efforts to make other governments aware of the value of putting a halt to the stealing of intellectual property and fostering legitimate economies.” The report identified China, Malaysia and Russia as the main large-scale producers of infringing entertainment software product. ESA said investigations into manufacturing and assembly facilities “also revealed connections between factories on mainland China and Taiwanese nationals who provide either the funding for these operations” or the component parts needed for assembly into finished pirated and counterfeited products. The report said other emerging piracy trends included Internet caf? piracy. The Special 301 report was to be filed with the U.S. Trade Representative, who, under the Special 301 trade law, can impose trade sanctions following an investigation and consultation period, ESA said.