Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) reports that on August 16 & 17, 2005, the U.S. and China held negotiations on a broad bilateral textile agreement. HKTDC states that negotiations are expected to resume and it is possible that the countries could agree to some type of documentation system similar to the Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) mechanism. HKTDC states that the lack of such a system was partly to blame for the very rapid embargoes experienced by a number of Chinese products in 2005. (HKTDC Pub 08/22/05, available at http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/us0516.htm)
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1. HKTDC Reports U.S. & China Could Agree to ELVIS-Type Documentation
2. Florida Importer/Exporter Charged for Transporting Radioactive Hazmats
The Department of Transportation's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has issued a notice announcing that the president of H&G Import Export of Ft. Lauderdale, FL has been arrested and charged in connection with the illegal transportation of iridium-192 in company aircraft on several occasions. Among other things, the company failed to identify the hazmat cargo on export and import documents. (OIG Notice, dated 08/10/05, available at http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1636)
3. Two Manufacturers of Western Red Cedar Utility Poles Settle Charges of Unlicensed Exports to Canada
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a press release announcing that the McFarland Cascade Pole and Lumber Company and The Oeser Company, manufacturers of lumber and wood products headquartered in Washington State, agreed to pay civil penalties of $454,000 and $83,200 respectively, to settle charges that they violated the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by exporting unprocessed western red cedar to Canada for further processing at wood treatment plants without obtaining licenses from BIS. (BIS press release, dated 08/18/05, available at www.bis.doc.gov/News/2005/Western.htm.)
4. APHIS Proposes to Add Argentina to List of Regions Free of Exotic Newcastle Disease
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule proposing to amend the regulations by adding Argentina to the list of regions considered free of exotic Newcastle disease. This proposed rule would eliminate certain restrictions on the importation into the U.S. of poultry and poultry products from Argentina. Written comments on proposed rule are due by October 24, 2005. (APHIS proposed rule, D/N 04-083-1, FR Pub 08/23/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-16689.pdf.)
5. BIS Transportation and Related Equipment Advisory Committee to Meet
BIS has announced that the Transportation and Related Equipment Technical Advisory Committee will be holding an open meeting on September 7, 2005 in Washington, DC. The agenda of the meeting will include Wasssenaar proposal status, jurisdiction working group report, etc. (BIS notice, FR Pub 08/23/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-16686.pdf.)