Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to a September 27, 2005 statement by USTR Special Textile Negotiator David Spooner, the third round of talks with the Chinese aimed at reaching agreement on textiles continued the evening of September 27th. The Textile Negotiator stated that "we have made good progress in our discussions over the past couple of days and, although we still have differences, we feel that additional time to work on the issues would be beneficial." (USTR Statement, dated 09/27/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Spokesperson_Statements/Statement_of_David_Spooner_USTR_Special_Textile_Negotiator_Regarding_the_Third_Round_of_Textile_Talks_with_the_Chinese_in_Washin.html )
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
1. Third Round of Textile Talks with China Continued Tuesday Evening
2. DHS Says Private Sector Could Capture Additional Advance Data for Security Screening
American Shipper reports that in a first glimpse into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Secure Freight Initiative, an acting assistant secretary has stated that DHS is thinking about how the private sector can play a greater role in data management, to augment the government's automated systems for collecting manifest information from carriers. According to the article, under the Secure Freight Initiative, DHS is rethinking the rules and responsibilities between the government and private sector as it relates to sharing information generated throughout the supply chain, and rethinking the concept of having companies dump all their trade-related information into systems such as the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). (AS, 09/22/05, ShippersNewsWire@americanshipper.com )
3. FDA Issues Questions and Answers on its 2005 Food Code
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a document entitled "The 2005 FDA Food Code Questions and Answers." According to the FDA, the 2005 FDA Food Code is a model food safety guideline for retail food operations and institutions. It assists food protection jurisdictions at all levels of government by providing them with a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service segment of the industry. The questions and answers in the document were developed to highlight the significant changes made to the 2005 Food Code. The 2005 FDA Food Code is available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/fc05-toc.html. (FDA Pub 09/23/05, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/fc05-qa.html)
4. FDA Issues Letter on Treated & Untreated, Non-Pasteurized Juice & Cider
The FDA has issued a letter to State regulatory agencies and firms that produce treated, but not pasteurized, and untreated juice and cider. This letter contains guidance for the industry and non-binding recommendations which stem from FDA's concern regarding continuing outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of treated (but not pasteurized) and untreated juice and cider. This letter is intended to serve as a reminder of the actions the FDA recommends processors take to enhance the safety of such products. (FDA letter, dated 09/22/05, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/juicgu14.html)
5. MARAD Issues Final Rule on New Maritime Security Program
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is revising and adopting as final, effective November 21, 2005, its July 20, 2004 interim final rule to implement provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, the Maritime Security Act of 2003 (MSA 2003). The MSA 2003 authorizes the creation of a new Maritime Security Program that establishes a fleet of active, commercially viable, privately owned vessels that meet national defense and other security requirements and to maintain a U.S. presence in international commercial shipping. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/30/04 news, 04073099 6, for BP summary of MARAD's interim final rule.) (Final rule, Docket No. MARAD-2004-18489, FR Pub 09/22/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-18678.pdf.)
6. President Bush Continues National Emergency with Respect to Person Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism
President Bush is continuing for one year the national emergency and the measures adopted to deal with the emergency he declared on September 23, 2001 with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism. The President states that he has taken this action because the actions of persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism continue to posean unusual and extraordinary threat to the U.S. (Presidential notice, FR Pub 09/22/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-19157.pdf.)
7. Federal Register Notice on FY 2006 TRQs for Raw Cane Sugar, Refined Sugar, and Sugar-Containing Products
The Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published in the Federal Register the FY 2006 allocations of the tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for raw cane sugar, refined sugar, and sugar-containing products. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/06/05 news, 05090620 for BP summary of USTR press release on these levels, and Customs QBT on the early Sept 8th opening for refined sugar.) USTR notice, FR Pub 09/07/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-17657.pdf )
8. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| FAS | Emergency Relief from Duty-Free Imports of Perishable Products from Andean Countries; extension of earlier comment period | 10/24/05 |
| ATF | Records of Acquisition and Disposition, Registered Importers of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War on the U.S. Munitions Import List; extension of earlier comment period (ATF REC 7570/1) | 09/30/05 |
| ITC | User Survey on its Import Injury Investigations | 11/07/05 |
| ITA | Application for Insular Watch and Jewelry Program Benefits [new title] (ITA-334P) | 11/07/05 |
| FDA | Survey of Current Manufacturing Practices in the Food Industry | 11/14/05 |
| FDA | Irradiation in the Production, Processing, and Handling of Food | (approved) |
| ITA | User Satisfaction Survey (ITA-4107P) | 10/19/05 |
(FAS Information Collection, FR Pub 08/24/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-16766.pdf)
(ATF Information Collection, FR Pub 08/31/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-17273.pdf)
(ITC Information Collection, FR Pub 09/08/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-17738.pdf )
(ITA Watch Information Collection, FR Pub 09/08/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-17810.pdf )
(FDA Current Manufacturing Practices Information Collection, FR Pub 09/14/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-18164.pdf )
(FDA Irradiation Information Collection, FR Pub 09/14/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-18165.pdf )
(ITA User Satisfaction Information Collection, FR Pub 09/19/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-18500.pdf )