Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The February 2006 issue of American Shipper contains an article on how complicated trade has become. According to the article, suggestions for simplifying trade include (partial list): Congress and the courts could give common sense and simplification deference when creating or altering trade laws; Congressional leaders could, as a precursor to a Trade Simplification Act, appoint a multi-disciplinary group to closely study and offer meaningful recommendations for simplification; the long, overdue International Trade Data System (ITDS) could aid the simplification cause; making it easier to comply with the law could free up vital U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) resources for the homeland security missions; etc. (American Shipper, dated 02/06, www.americanshipper.com.)
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1. American Shipper Article Discusses Ways to Simplify Trade
2. USTR Announces Preliminary Results of 2005 ATPA Annual Reviews, Etc.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing the results of the preliminary review of petitions received for the USTR's 2005 Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) Annual Review, which concerns whether certain practices in certain beneficiary developing countries are in compliance with ATPA eligibility criteria. The notice also announces the status of petitions filed in2004 that have remained under review. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/05/05 news, 05120515, for BP summary of petitions received for the 2005 ATPA Annual Review.) (FR Pub 02/27/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2695.pdf)
3. U.S. and Cameroon Sign Open-Skies Aviation Agreement
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Cameroon have signed a full Open Skies agreement that will permit the airlines of both countries to operate air services between the two countries without restriction. The press release notes that the U.S. now has Open Skies relationships with 75 aviation partners, including 17 in sub-Saharan Africa. (DOT press release 26-06, dated 02/17/06, available at www.dot.gov/affairs/dot2606.htm.)
4. TTB Reopens Comment Period on Use of Word "Pure" or its Variants on Labels or Advertisements of Alcohol Beverage Products
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is reopening the comment period until March 20, 2006 for its advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on the use of the word "pure" or its variants on labels or in advertisements of alcohol beverage products. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/18/06 news, 06011899 4, for BP summary of ANPR.) (TTB notice No. 57, FR Pub 02/16/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-1487.pdf.)
5. EPA Final Rule Exempts Certain Methyl Bromide Production, Import, Etc.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule, effective February 1, 2006, which exempts methyl bromide production and import for 2006 critical uses. This final rule authorizes uses that will qualify for the 2006 critical use exemption and the amount of methyl bromide that may be produced, imported, or made availablefrom inventory for those uses in 2006.
According to the EPA, entities potentially regulated by this action are those associated with the production, import, export, sale, application and use of methyl bromide covered by an approved critical use exemption (e.g., producers, importers, and exporters of methyl bromide). The EPA explains that the Clean Air Act phased out methyl bromide consumption and production on January 1, 2005 apart from certain critical use exemptions and the quarantine and preshipment exemption. (FR Pub 02/06/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-1019.pdf)