Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has sided with the U.S. in an agricultural dispute involving Mexican antidumping (AD) duties on U.S. long grain white rice. In its report, the WTO panel agreed with the U.S. that Mexican AD duties on rice and various provisions of its AD and countervailing (CV) duty laws are contrary to WTO rules. (USTR Press Release dated 06/07/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/June/United_States_Wins_WTO_Challenge_Against_Mexican_Rice_Duties.html)
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1. USTR Announces U.S. Wins WTO Challenge of Mexican Rice AD Duties
2. Port of LA/Long Beach to Receive Complete Radiation Detection Coverage
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a press release stating that the port of Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA will have complete Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM) coverage by the end of 2005. CBP states that a total of 90 RPMs will screen all international container traffic and vehicles exiting the facility for nuclear materials or hidden sources of radiation. CBP adds that in April 2005 Oakland, CA became the U.S.' first seaport to have complete coverage. (CBP Press Release 06/07/05, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/06032005_2.xml)
3. WCO Holds First Information Meeting With Universities & Research Institutes
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has issued a press release announcing that in May 2005 it held its first information meeting with universities and research institutes in order to discuss possibilities of cooperation between the academic world and Customs in the field of capacity building. (WCO Press Release, dated 05/17/05, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Press/WCO-Meeting%20with%20Universities%20rev.htm)
4. China Withdraws CITES Appendix III Listing for One Turtle Species
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a notice announcing that the Chinese government has withdrawn the Appendix III listing for Pelodiscus sinensis, effective June 23, 2005. FWS explains that this and other turtle species were added to Appendix III, effective February 17, 2005. FWS states that effective June 23, 2005, importers and exporters are no longer required to have CITES Appendix III documents to trade internationally in Pelodiscus sinensis, although all other turtle species listed in Appendix III by China continue to require such documents. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/30/05 news, 05033015, for BP summary of an earlier FWS notice on China's Appendix III listings.) (FWS Press Release 05/24/05, available at http://www.le.fws.gov/PBWithdrawlChinaTurtleSpecies.htm)
5. AMS Proposed Rule on Regulatory Periods for Imported Grapes, Etc.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a proposed rule to, among other things, revise the regulatory periods when minimum grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements apply to imported grapes under the table grape import regulation, and clarify the maturity (soluble solids) requirements for imported Flame Seedless variety grapes. Comments must be received by July 25, 2005. (D/N FV03-925-1 PR, FR Pub 05/25/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-10440.pdf)
6. President's Certification on Exports of Certain Material/Equipment to China
The White House has issued a press release containing the text of the President's letter certifying that the export to China of certain listed items is not detrimental to the U.S. space launch industry, and that the listed material and equipment, including any indirect technical benefit that could be derived from such exports, will not measurably improve the missile or space launch capabilities of China. (Press release, dated 06/03/05, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/06/20050603-1.html)