Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Bush Says U.S., Panama Close to Free-Trade Pact

2. U.S. Opposes Any Lifting of EU Embargo on Arms Sale to China

The Washington File reports that the U.S. opposes any lifting of the European Union (EU) embargo on arms sales to China. The article notes that while the U.S. welcomes EU efforts to improve its Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers, a strengthened code is not an acceptable substitute for the EU's China arms embargo. (Washington File Pub 11/08/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2005/Nov/08-374479.html)

3. Port of Chicago Pipelines on New Air AMS Participant and in Air AMS and CES and GO Warehouses

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Chicago has issued the following Pipelines:

Air Automated Manifest System (AAMS)-New Participant-Jazz Air Inc. (Pipeline 05-22, dated 10/12/05)

Location of Centralized Examination Stations (CES) and General Order Warehouses (GO) (Pipeline 05-23, dated 10/12/05)

Centralized Examination Station Selections for the Ports of Milan and Peoria, IL (Pipeline 05-24, dated 10/12/05)

These pipelines are available by fax only by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.

4. APHIS Proposes Regulatory Changes for Cattle Imports from Mexico

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to amend its regulations regarding the importation of cattle from Mexico by adding San Luis, AZ as a port through which cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases may be imported into the U.S. APHIS states that it is also proposing to amend the regulations to remove provisions that limit the admission of cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases to the state of Texas and that prohibit the movement of such cattle into areas of Texas quarantined because of fever ticks. Comments on proposed rule are due by January 9, 2006. (APHIS proposed rule (D/N 05-041-1, FR Pub 11/09/05) available at

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-22337.pdf.

5. Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee to Meet

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice announcing that the Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee will meet on November 30, 2005 in Cary, North Carolina. Discussion topics include the CAFTA-DR. (ITA notice, FR Pub 10/18/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-5736.pdf )

6. EPA Withdraws Direct Final Rule That Had Authorized Methyl Bromide for Certain Critical Uses

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a notice withdrawing its direct final rule which, among other things, had authorized use of 610,665 kg of methyl bromide for supplemental critical uses in 2005 through the allocation of additional critical stock allowances. The EPA states that it is taking this action due to the receipt of adverse comments on the direct final rule. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/13/05 news, 05091399 8 for BP summary of direct final rule.)(EPA notice, FRL-7985-2, FR Pub 10/18/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-20813.pdf )

7. APHIS Notice on Int'l Sanitary/Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice informing, and requesting comments from, the public on the international standard setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO). (D/N 05-063-1, FR Pub 10/24/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-5853.pdf )

8. APHIS Proposes Rule on Meat Imported from FMD Region That is Cured/Cooked in Another Region

APHIS has issued a proposed rule to allow the importation of cured or cooked shelf-stable meat derived from ruminants or swine that originate in a region where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease exist, if the meat is cured or cooked in another region. Written comments on this proposed rule are due by December 27, 2005. (D/N 02-083-1, FR Pub 10/25/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-21306.pdf )

9. WTO Appellate Body Supports U.S. on Mexico's Challenge to AD Proceeding on Oil Country Tubular Goods from Mexico

The Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that a World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body has ruled in favor of the U.S. on Mexico's challenge to a U.S. antidumping (AD) proceeding on steel pipe from Mexico. The dispute involved a U.S. "sunset" review of OCTG. (USTR release, dated 11/02/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/November/United_States_Wins_WTO_Sunset_Appeal.html )

10. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 10/01/05-10/31/05) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below. Due to the large number of recalls in October, this is Part II, the final part of a two-part series of summaries. (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereloct05.html