A New Export Blog

The very small fraternity of export control blogs has grown by one. Meet ExportLawBlog, an effort of the law firm Powell Goldstein. To get a flavor of it, here's a sampling from a recent post titled "Foreign Cows Moo a Sigh of Relief":

Nebraska-based Springer Magrath Co. pleaded guilty to criminal export violations and agreed to pay a $50,000 fine for its shipment of cattle prods to South Africa in 2002 without a license. Cattle prods and other discharge type arms such as stun guns are controlled by ECCN 0A985 and require a license for all destinations except Canada.

Springer Magrath is an agricultural supply house for cattle ranchers, selling such products as calf feeders and calf adoption powder, so it is safe to assume that the people there had never heard of the Commodity Control List prior to their visit from federal authorities. Frankly, many people who have heard of the Commodity Control List might be equally surprised that cattle prods appear on the list. And with good reason. Although cattle prods are, admittedly, often used as devices of torture, they are widely available from sources outside the U.S.

The way things are going I wouldn't be surprised to see 0A985 slapped with Short Supply controls, too. I hear the president needs cattle prods for the "alternative procedures" he favors for his "terrorist interrogation program".

Comments

[Clif Burns]

I think you're right. SS controls for cattle prods may be next.

Even more ironic about the fate of Springer Magrath is that BIS has been routinely granting licenses for cattle prods to places where we all know the prods will never see the business end of a cow.

And thanks for the link!

[Ladyx]

I am not currently watching the status of cattle, however, I do thank you for a new fresh link!

[URZ]

Take a look at this enterprising fellow:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Powerful-Compact-CATTLE-PROD-Professional-unit_W0QQitemZ140032992486QQihZ004QQcategoryZ11751QQssPageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

"DOG FIGHTS:
A number of owners use this to seperate dogs in a Dog fight. The pain from the prodder is quite different from the physical pain the dog experiances from the fight and so lets go. NOTE: Please be careful that the dog does not turn and bite the prodder / hand holding the prodder."

Nice