Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Dominican Republic Joints 5 Central American Countries in FTA with US

2. FDA Working Group Summarizes 1999-2003 Food Recalls

The Food and Drug Administration's Food Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Working Group has reviewed certain FDA recall records to identify those that took place because of a GMP-related problem, as FDA is preparing to revisit regulations on current GMP (CGMP) for food. Results found that bakery products were most often recalled, followed by fishery/seafood, and that the majority of recalls were due to incorrect packaging labeling (e.g. for allergenic ingredients) FDA report (dated 08/03/04), available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/cgmps2.html )

3. State Dept Telecommunications Advisory Committee to Meet

The State Department is announcing that a meeting of the U.S. International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet on September 10, 2004 to discuss matters related to the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). (State P/N 4778, FR Pub 08/06/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18020.pdf

4. NOAA Renews Affirmative Finding for Yellowfin Tuna from Mexico

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a notice stating that it has renewed, for the April 1, 2004 - March 31, 2005 period, the affirmative finding for Mexico allowing yellowfin tuna harvested in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by Mexican-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Mexican jurisdiction, to continue to be imported into the U.S. (NOAA ID 072804B, FR Pub 08/06/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18053.pdf

5. State Dept Updates List of Countries Eligible to Trade in Rough Diamonds

The State Department has issued a public notice which, in accordance with sections 3 and 6 of the Clean Diamond Trade Act of 2003 (Act) and Section 2 of Executive Order 13312, contains a July 29, 2004 list of all participants eligible to trade in rough diamonds under the Act, and their respective importing and exporting authorities. According to the State Department, this list updates the previously published list of April 22, 2004. (Public Notice 4796, FR Pub 08/06/04, available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18021.pdf

6. State Dept Advisory Committee on Int'l Communications & Information Policy to Meet

The State Department has announced that its Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy (ACICIP) will hold a public meeting on August 18, 2004 in Washington, DC for which agenda items include: Ambassador Gross's forthcoming visit to China, issues on the agenda for the October meeting of the World Telecommunications Standards Assembly, reports from subcommittees, etc. (Public Notice 4744, FR Pub 07/26/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-16972.pdf)