Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CPSC to Hold Meeting on Mattress Flammability Final Rule on Feb 16th

2. FWS Corrects Final Rule on White Abalone and Smalltooth Sawfish

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a correction to its November 16, 2005 final rule which added two marine taxa to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife: white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni) and the U.S. Distinct Vertebrate Population Segment (DPS) of the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). FWS states that in the final rule it incorrectly listed white abalone as threatened, when it is actually listed as endangered. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/06/06 news, 06010699 5, for BP summary of FWS final rule.) (FWS correction, FR Pub 02/07/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-1081.pdf.)

3. FSIS Interim Final Rule Continues Sodium Content Requirements for Foods Labeled "Healthy"

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued an interim final rule, effective January 11, 2006, which announces that FSIS regulations will continue to provide that individual meat and poultry products bearing the claim "healthy" (or any other derivative of the term "health") must contain no more than 480 mg of sodium and that meal-type products bearing such claims must contain no more than 600 mg of sodium. Comments must be received on or before February 10, 2006. (D/N 05-033IF; FDMS D/N FSIS-2005-0038, FR Pub 01/11/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-268.pdf)

4. FWS Requests Comments on Animals & Plant Species that Should be Considered for Addition to CITES

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a notice which requests recommendations on animal and plant species that should be considered as candidates for U.S. proposals to amend the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I (species threatened with extinction that are or may be affected by trade) and Appendix II (species that are not necessarily threatened now but may be come so unless trade is strictly controlled). Comments must be received by March 20, 2006. (FR Pub 01/20/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-594.pdf)

5. USDA Affirmation of Aggregate Quantity of Mexico Refined Sugar Under NAFTA Market Access Provisions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a notice, effective October 1, 2005, regarding the aggregate quantity of 250,383 metric tons, raw value, of sugar that may enter the U.S. Customs Territory from Mexico during fiscal year (FY) 2006 under the market access provisions of Chapter 7, Annex 703.2 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) under HTS 1701.11.10, 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 1702.90.10, and 2106.90.44. According to USDA sources, this aggregate quantity has already been implemented. (USDA notice, FR Pub 01/27/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-1030.pdf.)

6. USDA Affirmation of Aggregate Quantity of Refined Sugar Entered Under FY 2006 TRQs

The USDA has issued a notice, effective October 1, 2005, which affirms determinations made on August 12, August 19, September 9, and December 2, 2005, that an aggregate quantity of 1,751,329 metric tons raw value of sugar may be entered under the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) provisions of HTS Additional U.S. Note 5(a) during fiscal year (FY) 2006. According to USDA sources, this aggregate quantity has already been implemented. (USDA notice, FR Pub 01/27/06, http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-1029.pdf.)