Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S. Disappointed by WTO Deadlock Over Agricultural Trade

2. WTO Panel Rules Against EC Customs Law Administration

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel issued a report stating, among other things, that the administration of European Community (EC) customs law by 25 different agencies (one for each member State) is a violation of the EC's obligation to administer its customs laws in a uniform manner. (USTR press release, dated 06/16/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/June/WTO_Panel_Finds_Against_EC_Customs_Law_Administration.html)

3. EPA Proposes Rule to Authorize Methyl Bromide for Certain Critical Uses

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed rule that would, among other things, authorize use of methyl bromide for certain critical uses in 2007. The EPA is proposing uses that will qualify for the 2007 critical use exemption and the amount of methyl bromide that may be produced, imported, or supplied from stocks for those uses in 2007. Among others, the EPA indicates that this proposed rule has the potential to affect importers and exporters. (FR Pub 07/06/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5969.pdf)

4. State Department Renews Charter of the Advisory Committee on International Law

The State Department has issued a notice announcing that the Charter of the Advisory Committee on International Law is being renewed for a two-year period. The Committee compromises all former Legal Advisers of the State Department and up to twenty individuals appointed by the current Legal Adviser. (Public Notice 5388, FR Pub 05/15/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7337.pdf.)

5. FWS Reopens Comment Period for the Status Review of Polar Bears

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has reopened the public comment period on the status review of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) to determine if listing this species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, is warranted. Comments are due by 5 p.m. on June 16, 2006. (FR Pub 05/17/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7448.pdf.)

6. FMCSA Proposes Improvements to SafeStat Measurement System

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a notice announcing that it is proposing improvements to its Motor Carrier Safety Status (SafeStat) Measurement System algorithm. Comments are due by July 3, 2006. The SafeStat system analyzes current and historical safety performance and compliance information to rank the relative safety fitness of commercial motor carriers. (D/N FMCSA-2005-23239, FR Pub 05/03/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-6647.pdf.)

7. FDA Posts Various Notices to its Web Site

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted the following notices to its Web site:

Updated EU and EFTA export certificates for fishery/aquaculture products and live molluscan shellfish. FDA has posted to its Web site updated European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) export certificates for fishery/aquaculture products and live molluscan shellfish. (Certificates, updated 06/06, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/eucert.html.)

FDA Statement on Canadian Rule to Control BSE Risks. FDA has posted to its Web site a statement on a Canadian final rule to control bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also called Mad Cow disease) risks. (Statement, dated 06/26/06, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01397.html.)

FDA Letters Notifying Roha, USA, L.L.C., of the Expiration of Certification of Two Previously Certified Lots of Roha Dyechem Color Additives. FDA has posted multiple letters to its Web site which notify Roha, USA, L.L.C., of the expiration of certification of two previously certified lots of Roha Dyechem color additives (FDA's letters,dated 06/16/06, 06/08/06, and 03/03/06 available by going to http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/news/whatsnew.html and clicking the links of the letter dates.)

8. ITA Notice of Discontinuance of Exemptions for Bolivian Aircraft

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued notice of the discontinuance of the existing exemption for aircraft registered in the Republic of Bolivia from certain internal revenue taxes on the purchase of supplies in the U.S. for such aircraft in connection with their international commercial operations. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/14/05 news 05071435 for BP summary on ITA's notice of review.) (ITA Notice, FR Pub 06/15/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9335.pdf)

9. FSIS Requests Food Handling Studies to Estimate Public Health Impact of Bacterial Foodborne Pathogens

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued notice requesting information on studies of food handling and preparation behaviors that could lead to the transfer of bacteria from products of animal origin to foods that are not likely to undergo cooking or additional cooking. The information may be used in risk assessment modeling to estimate the public health impact of the presence of bacterial foodborne pathogens in meat, poultry, and egg products. Submissions must be received by September 3, 2006. (FR Pub 07/05/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-10418.pdf)

10. Federal Register Publication of 4^th Quarter FY 2006 Interest Rates for Overpayments and Underpayments of Customs Duties

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published the interest rates for the fourth quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2006 for overpayments and underpayments of Customs duties. The interest rates for overpayments will increase from 6 to 7 percent for corporations and from 7 to 8 percent for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will increase from 7 to 8 percent. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/12/06 news, 06061210, for BP summary of IRS press release announcing the fourth quarter FY 2006 interest rates.) (CBP Notice, FR Pub 06/30/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5878.pdf)

11. AMS Requests Comments on Partial Exemption to Tomato Grade Requirements

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a notice soliciting comments by August 28, 2006 on a proposed rule for partial exemption to minimum grade requirements under the tomato import regulations. (D/N FV06-980-1 PR, FR Pub 06/29/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5832.pdf)

12. BIS Issues Technical Correction to Final Rule on Biological Agents and Toxins

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a technical correction to its June 12, 2006 final rule, which expands export and reexport controls on certain biological agents and toxins. BIS is now correcting an error made in the reading of the table in Supplement No. 1 to Part 774. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/14/06 news, 06061420, for BP summary of the final rule.) (FR Pub 06/22/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/Z6-8995.pdf)