Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that it has just concluded the first round of negotiations with Malaysia on a U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), adding that the two countries are well-positioned to conclude talks by the end of the year. (USTR release, dated 06/16/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Transcripts/2006/June/asset_upload_file226_9567.pdf )
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1. U.S. and Malaysia Conclude First Round of FTA Talks
2. New CBP Commissioner Reaffirms Commitment to Security & Facilitation
According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) press release, during a June 13, 2006 speech before the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI), new CBP Commissioner Basham reaffirmed his commitment to the twin goals of security and facilitation. Commissioner Basham also stated that he believes the course [former] Commissioner Bonner set for CBP is the right course and that he sees no need for a "dramatic change." (CBP press release, dated 06/13/06, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/commissioner/speeches_statements/aaei_conference.xml.)
3. NCTO Urges Convening CAFTA Group to Implement Change for Pocketing and Linings
At its annual meeting on May 14-17, 2006, the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) strongly urged the U.S. government to immediately convene the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) Working Group and implement the rule change for pocketing and linings agreed to during CAFTA-DR ratification. (NCTO press release, dated 05/17/06, available at http://www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr200606.asp.)
4. U.S., European Commission Renew Biotech Task Force
The Washington File reports that the U.S. and European Commission (EC) renewed a consultative task force on biotechnology research in an agreement signed June 8, 2006. The article states that the task force-which was established in 1990 to foster open communication between the EC and U.S. agencies that conduct biotechnology research-will meet July 19-20 in Brussels, Belgium. (Washington File Pub 06/12/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=June&x=20060612120328AKllennoCcM0.9627191&t=xarchives/xarchitem.html)
5. U.S. Agricultural Trade Slows by 16% from March to April of 2006
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA's) Economic Research Service has issued an outlook report on U.S. agricultural trade indicating that the value of U.S. agricultural exports fell from March to April 2006 by 16 percent. Among other things, the outlook report provides data on monthly U.S. agricultural trade from 2005 and 2006, the exports and imports by major commodity value, the top 10 U.S. export markets for wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton, etc. (USDA outlook report, dated 06/12/06, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/erssor/trade/fau-bb/text/2006/fau114.pdf)
6. USDA Final Rule on Collection of Assessments Under Peanut Order
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule, effective July 19, 2006, which adopts, without change, an interim final rule that brings sections of the Peanut Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order) into conformity with changes that have occurred since the implementation of the Order with regard to the collection of assessments. (D/N FV-05-701-FR, FR Pub 06/19/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9536.pdf)
7. APHIS Proposes to Change Foot-and-Mouth Disease & Rinderpest Status of Namibia
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule that would amend 9 CFR Part 94 to add Namibia, except the portion of the country north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, to the list of regions that are considered free of foot-and-mouth disease. The proposed rule would also add the entire country to the list of regions that are considered free of rinderpest. Comments must be received on or before August 14, 2006. (D/N APHIS-2006-0037, FR Pub 06/15/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5440.pdf)
8. USDA Invites U. S. Agribusiness Firms to Participate in a Trade & Investment Mission in the East African Region
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a news release inviting U.S. agribusiness firms to participate in a Trade and Investment Mission to the East Africa region in late fall 2006 to promote U.S.-Africa agribusiness cooperation, and trade and investment. Mission participants will have the opportunity to form partnerships with African entrepreneurs from Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. (USDA Press Release No. 0194.06 dated 06/07/06 available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/06/0194.xml)
9. 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):