Announcement of Request for Bilateral Textile Consultations with the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Establishment of Import Limits for Cotton Knit Shirts and Blouses (Category 338/339); Cotton Trousers (Category 347/348); and Cotton and Man-Made Fiber Underwear (Category 352/652), Produced or Manufactured in the People's Republic of China, 29722-29725 [05-10449]
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29722
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 24, 2005 / Notices
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 051905A]
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
General Provisions for Domestic
Fisheries; Application for Exempted
Fishing Permits (EFPs)
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notification of a proposal for an
EFP to conduct experimental fishing;
request for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the
Assistant Regional Administrator for
Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region,
NMFS (Assistant Regional
Administrator) proposes to recommend
that an EFP be issued in response to an
application submitted by the Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Suffolk
County (Cornell). The EFP would allow
one commercial fishing vessel to
conduct a study examining vent sizes in
black sea bass pots from approximately
June 1, 2005, through May 31, 2006. The
Assistant Regional Administrator has
made a preliminary determination that
the application contains all of the
required information and warrants
further consideration and that the
activities to be authorized under the
EFP would be consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Summer Flounder,
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery
Management Plan. However, further
review and consultation may be
necessary before a final determination is
made to issue an EFP.
DATES: Comments on this action must be
received on or before June 8, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice
may be submitted by e-mail. The
mailbox address for providing e-mail
comments is DA5–127@noaa.gov.
Include in the subject line of the e-mail
comment the following document
identifier: ‘‘Comments on Cornell Black
Sea Bass Escape Vent EFP Proposal.’’
Written comments should be sent to
Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional
Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional
Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester,
MA 01930. Mark the outside of the
envelope ‘‘Comments on Cornell Black
Sea Bass Escape Vent EFP Proposal.’’
Comments may also be sent via fax to
(978) 281–9135.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jason Blackburn, Fishery Management
Specialist, phone: 978–281–9326, fax:
978–281–9135.
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17:36 May 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
On March
24, 2005, Cornell submitted an
application for a continuation of their
study of the effects of vent size and
shape on black sea bass behavior and
escapement from pot gear. The
applicant has submitted a new EFP
request for a continuation of the study
they began in 2004. During 2004, the
project conducted Research Set-Aside
compensation trips to fund the research.
The new EFP would allow the applicant
to conduct the research portion of their
project. The EFP would allow
exemption from the Northeast (NE)
lobster trap and tagging requirements at
50 CFR 697.19(a) and (c), the black sea
bass gear restrictions for pot and trap
gear (escape vent and marking) at
§ 648.144(b), and the black sea bass
minimum size restrictions at § 648.143.
The exempted fishing activity
involves research fishing in Federal
waters. The sea trials would be
conducted in the waters surrounding
Long Island, New York, including the
Atlantic Ocean, Block Island Sound,
and Long Island Sound, from
approximately June 1, 2005, through
May 31, 2006. The sampling protocol
lists the following vent sizes and
configurations to be used in this study:
Double circular 2.5–inch (6.4–cm)
diameter (presently the standard size in
the black sea bass fishery and the
regulatory size for lobster in Lobster
Management Area (LMA) 4); 5.75–inch
(14.61–cm) by 2.0–inch (5.1–cm)
rectangular (current regulatory size for
lobster); double circular 2.625–inch
(6.668–cm) diameter (required in the
lobster fishery as of January 1, 2005, in
all areas except LMA 1 and 6); single
circular 2.375–inch (6.033–cm) diameter
(current regulatory size for black sea
bass); 2.0–inch (5.1–cm) square (current
regulatory size for black sea bass). Vents
would be placed in a side panel near the
bottom of the pot. The pots would be set
in blocks of six (five experimental, one
control) with two blocks to a string. Ten
strings would be hauled every 10 days.
One additional string would be hauled
every 40 days to estimate mortality. One
federally permitted commercial fishing
vessel would be used to conduct the
research fishing trips.
It is estimated that 5,000 pounds of
black sea bass and 500 pounds of lobster
would be landed. It is further estimated
that 1,000 pounds of black sea bass, 500
pounds of scup, and 200 pounds of
lobster would be discarded. All bycatch
would be released alive whenever
possible. Sub-legal sized black sea bass
would be retained in onboard live tanks
for length frequency measurement and
then released as soon as practicable.
Fish would be landed in New York.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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Scientists from Cornell would be
onboard during all research trips.
An EFP would be issued to one
federally permitted commercial black
sea bass vessel to exempt it from the
regulations noted above. Exemption
from the lobster and black sea bass trap
requirements would allow the project to
use pots in excess of the regulated pot
limit while conducting the study.
Exemption from the black sea bass
minimum size restrictions would allow
the vessels to temporarily retain sublegal sized black sea bass to obtain
length frequency measurements while
conducting the study.
The applicant may request minor
modifications and extensions to the EFP
throughout the year. EFP modifications
and extensions may be granted without
further notice if they are deemed
essential to facilitate completion of the
proposed research and have minimal
impacts that do not change the scope or
impact of the initially approved EFP
request.
Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act require publication of
this notification to provide interested
parties the opportunity to comment on
applications for proposed EFPs.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 19, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5–2589 Filed 5–23–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
COMMITTEE FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE
AGREEMENTS
Announcement of Request for Bilateral
Textile Consultations with the
Government of the People’s Republic
of China and the Establishment of
Import Limits for Cotton Knit Shirts
and Blouses (Category 338/339);
Cotton Trousers (Category 347/348);
and Cotton and Man-Made Fiber
Underwear (Category 352/652),
Produced or Manufactured in the
People’s Republic of China
May 20, 2005.
Committee for the
Implementation of Textile Agreements
(Committee).
ACTION: Notice
AGENCY:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
May 23, 2005.
Ross
Arnold, International Trade Specialist,
Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S.
Department of Commerce, (202) 482-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 24, 2005 / Notices
4212. For information on the quota
status of these limits, refer to the Bureau
of Customs and Border Protection
website (https://www.cbp.gov), or call
(202) 344-2650. For information on
embargoes and quota re-openings, refer
to the Office of Textiles and Apparel
website at https://otexa.ita.doc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural
Act of 1956, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1854);
Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as
amended.
On May 23, 2005, as provided for
under paragraph 242 of the Report of the
Working Party on the Accession of
China to the World Trade Organization
(Accession Agreement), the United
States requested consultations with the
Government of the People’s Republic of
China with respect to imports of
Chinese origin cotton knit shirts and
blouses (Category 338/339); cotton
trousers (Category 347/348); and cotton
and man-made fiber underwear
(Category 352/652). In accordance with
paragraph 242 of the Accession
Agreement and the procedures set forth
by the Committee on May 21, 2003 (68
FR 27787), as clarified on August 18,
2003 (68 FR 49440), the United States is
establishing limits on Chinese origin
cotton knit shirts and blouses (Category
338/339); cotton trousers (Category 347/
348); and cotton and man-made fiber
underwear (Category 352/652),
beginning on May 23, 2005 and
extending through December 31, 2005 in
order to assist in the implementation of
these measures.
Paragraph 242 of the Accession
Agreement allows World Trade
Organization Members that believe
imports of Chinese origin textile and
apparel products are, due to market
disruption, threatening to impede the
orderly development of trade in these
products to request consultations with
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17:36 May 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
the People’s Republic of China with a
view to easing or avoiding such market
disruption. Upon receipt of the request,
the People’s Republic of China has
agreed to hold its shipments to a level
no greater than 7.5 percent (6 percent
for wool product categories) above the
amount entered during the first 12
months of the most recent 14 months
preceding the month in which the
request for consultations was made.
Because this restraint period will be for
less than 12 months, the restraint limit
will be prorated to conform to the
number of days remaining in the year,
beginning on May 23, 2005. The
Member requesting consultations may
implement such a limit. Consistent with
paragraph 242, consultations with the
People’s Republic of China will be held
within 30 days of receipt of the request
for consultations, and every effort will
be made to reach agreement on a
mutually satisfactory solution within 90
days of receipt of the request for
consultations. If agreement on a
different limit is reached, the Committee
will issue a Federal Register Notice
containing a directive to the Bureau of
Customs and Border Protection to
implement the negotiated limit.
Consistent with the terms of China’s
WTO Accession Agreement, these limits
will only last through December 31,
2005. Therefore the 12-month notional
limits, which are 7.5 percent above the
amount entered during the first 12
months of the most recent 14 months
preceding the month in which the
request for consultations was made, are
being prorated to correspond to the
amount of days of the year covered by
the restraint period. As they begin on
May 23 and run through December 31,
2005, a period of 223 days, the notional
limits will be prorated by a ratio of 223/
365.
On April 8, 2005, the Committee
solicited public comments on the self-
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29723
initiated investigations request (70 FR
17978, 70 FR 17979, 69 FR 17980). This
public comment period ended on May
9, 2005. The public comment period
had also ended for the threat-based
requests filed last fall covering the same
three product categories (69 FR 64912,
69 FR 64034, 69 FR 64914). The
Committee determined that imports of
Chinese cotton knit shirts and blouses
(Category 338/339); cotton trousers
(Category 347/348); and cotton and
man-made fiber underwear (Category
352/652), due to market disruption and
the threat of market disruption,
threatening to impede the orderly
development of trade in these textile
products, and that imports of cotton knit
shirts and blouses (Category 338/339);
cotton trousers (Category 347/348); and
cotton and man-made fiber underwear
(Category 352/652) from China play a
significant role in the existence and
threat of market disruption. A summary
statement of the reasons and
justifications for the U.S. request for
consultations concerning imports of
Categories 338/339, 347/348, and 352/
652 from the People’s Republic of China
follows this notice.
A description of the textile and
apparel categories in terms of
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States numbers is available in
the CORRELATION: Textile and
Apparel Categories with the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (see Federal Register
notice 69 FR 4926, published on
February 2, 2005). Information regarding
the 2005 CORRELATION will be
published in the Federal Register at a
later date.
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the
Implementation of Textile Agreements.
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 24, 2005 / Notices
Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements
May 20, 2005.
Commissioner,
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection,
Washington, DC 20229.
Dear Commissioner: Pursuant to Section
204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as
amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); and Executive
Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended,
you are directed to prohibit, effective on May
23, 2005, entry into the United States for
consumption and withdrawal from
warehouse for consumption of cotton knit
shirts and blouses (Category 338/339); cotton
trousers (Category 347/348); and cotton and
man-made fiber underwear (Category 352/
652), produced or manufactured in the
People’s Republic of China and exported
during the period beginning on May 23,
2005, and extending through December 31,
2005, in excess of the following limits.
Category
338/339 ....................
347/348 ....................
352/652 ....................
Quantity
4,704,115 dozen.
4,340,638 dozen.
5,062,892 dozen.
Products which have been exported to the
United States prior to May 23, 2005, shall not
be subject to the limit established in this
directive.
In carrying out the above directions, the
Commissioner should construe entry into the
United States for consumption to include
entry for consumption into the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The Committee for the Implementation of
Textile Agreements has determined that
these actions fall within the foreign affairs
exception of the rulemaking provisions of 5
U.S.C. 553(a)(1).
Sincerely,
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the
Implementation of Textile Agreements.
SUMMARY OF REASONS AND
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR U.S. REQUEST FOR
CONSULTATIONS WITH CHINA
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 242 OF THE
REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON
THE ACCESSION OF CHINA TO THE
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Cotton Knit Shirts and Blouses
Category 338/339
The United States believes that imports of
Chinese origin cotton knit shirts and blouses
are, due to the existence of market
disruption, threatening to impede the orderly
development of trade in these products.
Further, the United States believes that
imports of Chinese origin cotton knit shirts
and blouses are, due to the threat of market
disruption, threatening to impede the orderly
development of trade in these products.
Either finding supports a request for
consultations with the Government of the
People’s Republic of China under Paragraph
242 of the Report of the Working Party on the
Accession of China to the World Trade
Organization (‘‘Paragraph 242’’). The
VerDate jul<14>2003
17:36 May 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
following facts, and others contained in this
Statement, support these beliefs:
over three times the level of total calendar
year 2004 imports from China.
U.S. Imports from China Are Increasing
Rapidly in Absolute Terms. U.S. imports of
cotton knit shirts and blouses from China
were 2,816,081 dozens for the entire twelve
months of 2004. In the first quarter of 2005,
U.S. imports from China increased to
7,137,399 dozens, an increase of 1,277
percent from the first quarter of 2004 and
over two and a half times the level of total
calendar year 2004 imports from China.
U.S. Imports from the World Are Increasing
Rapidly in Absolute Terms. U.S. imports of
cotton trousers, slacks and shorts from all
sources, excluding cotton trousers, slacks and
shorts containing U.S. components that were
imported under outward processing
programs, increased from 32,194 thousand
dozens in the first quarter of 2004 to 38,844
thousand dozens in the first quarter of 2005
- an increase of 21 percent. Over 90 percent
of this increase was attributable to imports
from China.
U.S. Imports from the World Are Increasing
Rapidly in Absolute Terms. U.S. imports of
cotton knit shirts and blouses from all
sources, excluding cotton knit shirts and
blouses containing U.S. components that
were imported under outward processing
programs, increased from 58,343 thousand
dozens in the first quarter of 2004 to 68,354
thousand dozens in the first quarter of 2005
- an increase of 17 percent. Approximately
two-thirds of this increase was attributable to
imports from China.
The Average Unit Value of Imports from
China Is Falling in 2005. In 2004, the average
unit value of U.S. cotton knit shirts and
blouses imports from China was US$99.57
per dozen. In the first three months of 2005,
the average unit value of those imports fell
to US$39.88 per dozen, compared to
US$44.38 per dozen for ‘‘rest of world’’
imports.
SUMMARY OF REASONS AND
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR U.S. REQUEST FOR
CONSULTATIONS WITH CHINA
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 242 OF THE
REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON
THE ACCESSION OF CHINA TO THE
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Cotton Trousers, Slacks and Shorts
Category 347/348
The United States believes that imports of
Chinese origin cotton trousers, slacks and
shorts are, due to the existence of market
disruption, threatening to impede the orderly
development of trade in these products.
Further, the United States believes that
imports of Chinese origin cotton trousers,
slacks and shorts are, due to the threat of
market disruption, threatening to impede the
orderly development of trade in these
products. Either finding supports a request
for consultations with the Government of the
People’s Republic of China under Paragraph
242 of the Report of the Working Party on the
Accession of China to the World Trade
Organization (‘‘Paragraph 242’’). The
following facts, and others contained in this
Statement, support these beliefs:
U.S. Imports from China Are Increasing
Rapidly in Absolute Terms. U.S. imports of
cotton trousers, slacks and shorts from China
were 2,184,056 dozens for the entire twelve
months of 2004. In the first quarter of 2005,
U.S. imports from China increased to
6,794,375 dozens, an increase of 1,573
percent from the first quarter of 2004 and
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The Average Unit Value of Imports from
China Is Falling in 2005. In 2004, the average
unit value of U.S. cotton trousers, slacks and
shorts imports from China was US$154.53
per dozen. In the first three months of 2005,
the average unit value of those imports fell
to US$66.64 per dozen, compared to
US$82.07 per dozen for ‘‘rest of world’’
imports.
SUMMARY OF THE REASONS AND
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR U.S. REQUEST FOR
CONSULTATIONS WITH CHINA
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 242 OF THE
REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON
THE ACCESSION OF CHINA TO THE
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Cotton and Man-Made Fiber Underwear
Category 352/652
The United States believes that imports of
Chinese origin cotton and man-made fiber
underwear (‘‘underwear’’) are, due to the
existence of market disruption, threatening to
impede the orderly development of trade in
these products. Further, the United States
believes that imports of Chinese origin
underwear are, due to the threat of market
disruption, threatening to impede the orderly
development of trade in these products.
Either finding supports a request for
consultations with the Government of the
People’s Republic of China under Paragraph
242 of the Report of the Working Party on the
Accession of China to the World Trade
Organization (‘‘Paragraph 242’’). The
following facts, and others contained in this
Statement, support these beliefs:
U.S. Imports from China Are Increasing
Rapidly in Absolute Terms. U.S. imports of
underwear from China were 5,211,785
dozens for the entire twelve months of 2004.
In the first quarter of 2005, U.S. imports from
China increased to 5,252,622 dozens, an
increase of 318 percent from the first quarter
of 2004.
U.S. Imports from the World Are Increasing
Rapidly in Absolute Terms. U.S. imports of
underwear from all sources, excluding
underwear containing U.S. components that
were imported under outward processing
programs, increased from 28,468 thousand
dozens in the first quarter of 2004 to 32,770
thousand dozens in the first quarter of 2005
- an increase of 15 percent. More than 90
percent of this increase was attributable to
imports from China.
E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 24, 2005 / Notices
The Average Unit Value of Imports from
China Is Falling in 2005. In 2004, the average
unit value of U.S. underwear imports from
China was US$31.46 per dozen. In the first
three months of 2005, the average unit value
of those imports fell to US$15.68 per dozen,
compared to US$15.80 per dozen for ‘‘rest of
world’’ imports.
[FR Doc. 05–10449 Filed 5–20–05; 2:11 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Proposed Information Collection;
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Corporation for National and
Community Service.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Corporation for National
and Community Service (hereinafter the
‘‘Corporation’’), has submitted the
following public information collection
request (ICR) to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval in accordance with
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(Pub. L. 104–13), (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
Copies of the ICR, with applicable
supporting documentation, may be
obtained by calling the Corporation for
National and Community Service, Dave
Bellama, 202–606–5000 ext. 483.
Individuals who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TTY–TDD) may call (202) 565–2799
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern
time, Monday through Friday.
Comments should be sent to the
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Attn: Ms. Katherine Astrich,
OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation
for National and Community Service,
Office of Management and Budget,
Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503,
(202) 395–4718, within 30 days from the
date of this publication in the Federal
Register.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB
is particularly interested in comments
that:
• Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the Corporation, including
whether the information will have
practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information;
• Propose ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
• Propose ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
VerDate jul<14>2003
18:15 May 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submissions of responses.
Comments: A 60-day Federal Register
notice for the Training and Technical
Assistance Cooperative Agreements was
published on February 14th, 2005. The
comment period ended on April 15,
2005. No comments were received
during this period.
Description: The Corporation is
seeking approval of the Application
Instructions: Training and Technical
Assistance Cooperative Agreements,
currently approved through emergency
clearance. The application to be
published by the Corporation’s Office of
Leadership Development and Training
will be completed by applicant
organizations interested in providing
training and technical assistance (T/TA)
services to the Corporation’s grantees.
The application includes submission
and compliance requirements,
application instructions, selection
criteria, and reporting requirements for
applications selected for awards. This
application will be completed
electronically using the Corporation’s
Web-based grants management system,
eGrants.
Type of Review: New; currently
approved through emergency clearance.
Agency: Corporation for National and
Community Service.
Title: Application Instructions:
Training and Technical Assistance
Cooperative Agreements.
OMB Number: 3045–0105.
Frequency: Once in three years for
applicants. Selected applicants will
report bi-annually.
Affected Public: Current and
prospective training and technical
assistance (T/TA) providers.
Number of Respondents: 75.
Estimated Time Per Respondent:
Averages 80 hours per respondent for 75
applicants and 80 hours each for the 15
selected applicants to report annually
on their performance.
Total Burden Hours: 7,200.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):
None.
Total Annual Cost (operating/
maintaining systems or purchasing
services): None.
Dated: May 11, 2005.
Gretchen Van Der Veer,
Director, Office of Leadership Development
and Training.
[FR Doc. 05–10357 Filed 5–23–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P
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29725
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Proposed Information Collection;
Comment Request
Corporation for National and
Community Service.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Corporation for National
and Community Service (hereinafter the
‘‘Corporation’’), as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to
provide the general public and federal
agencies with an opportunity to
comment on proposed and/or
continuing collections of information in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program
helps to ensure that requested data can
be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial
resources) is minimized, collection
instruments are clearly understood, and
the impact of collection requirement on
respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Corporation is
soliciting comments concerning its
proposed reinstatement of its State
Administrative Standards (hereinafter
‘Standards’) form. This form is used by
the Corporation as one of its oversight
and monitoring tools of the state
commissions that are Corporation
grantees.
Copies of the information collection
requests can be obtained by contacting
the office listed in the address section
of this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted to the individual and office
listed in the ADDRESSES section by July
25, 2005.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by the title of the information
collection activity, by any of the
following methods:
(1) By mail sent to: Corporation for
National and Community Service,
AmeriCorps*State/National; Attention
Gayle Hilleke, Project Manager, State
Administrative Standards, Room 9510;
1201 New York Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC, 20525.
(2) By hand delivery or by courier to
the Corporation’s mailroom at Room
6010 at the mail address given in
paragraph (1) above, between 9 a.m. and
4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
(3) By fax to: (202) 565–2789,
Attention Gayle Hilleke, Project
Manager, State Administrative
Standards.
E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29722-29725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10449]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Announcement of Request for Bilateral Textile Consultations with
the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Establishment
of Import Limits for Cotton Knit Shirts and Blouses (Category 338/339);
Cotton Trousers (Category 347/348); and Cotton and Man-Made Fiber
Underwear (Category 352/652), Produced or Manufactured in the People's
Republic of China
May 20, 2005.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
(Committee).
ACTION: Notice
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 23, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ross Arnold, International Trade
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of
Commerce, (202) 482-
[[Page 29723]]
4212. For information on the quota status of these limits, refer to the
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection website (https://www.cbp.gov),
or call (202) 344-2650. For information on embargoes and quota re-
openings, refer to the Office of Textiles and Apparel website at http:/
/otexa.ita.doc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as
amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as
amended.
On May 23, 2005, as provided for under paragraph 242 of the Report
of the Working Party on the Accession of China to the World Trade
Organization (Accession Agreement), the United States requested
consultations with the Government of the People's Republic of China
with respect to imports of Chinese origin cotton knit shirts and
blouses (Category 338/339); cotton trousers (Category 347/348); and
cotton and man-made fiber underwear (Category 352/652). In accordance
with paragraph 242 of the Accession Agreement and the procedures set
forth by the Committee on May 21, 2003 (68 FR 27787), as clarified on
August 18, 2003 (68 FR 49440), the United States is establishing limits
on Chinese origin cotton knit shirts and blouses (Category 338/339);
cotton trousers (Category 347/348); and cotton and man-made fiber
underwear (Category 352/652), beginning on May 23, 2005 and extending
through December 31, 2005 in order to assist in the implementation of
these measures.
Paragraph 242 of the Accession Agreement allows World Trade
Organization Members that believe imports of Chinese origin textile and
apparel products are, due to market disruption, threatening to impede
the orderly development of trade in these products to request
consultations with the People's Republic of China with a view to easing
or avoiding such market disruption. Upon receipt of the request, the
People's Republic of China has agreed to hold its shipments to a level
no greater than 7.5 percent (6 percent for wool product categories)
above the amount entered during the first 12 months of the most recent
14 months preceding the month in which the request for consultations
was made. Because this restraint period will be for less than 12
months, the restraint limit will be prorated to conform to the number
of days remaining in the year, beginning on May 23, 2005. The Member
requesting consultations may implement such a limit. Consistent with
paragraph 242, consultations with the People's Republic of China will
be held within 30 days of receipt of the request for consultations, and
every effort will be made to reach agreement on a mutually satisfactory
solution within 90 days of receipt of the request for consultations. If
agreement on a different limit is reached, the Committee will issue a
Federal Register Notice containing a directive to the Bureau of Customs
and Border Protection to implement the negotiated limit.
Consistent with the terms of China's WTO Accession Agreement, these
limits will only last through December 31, 2005. Therefore the 12-month
notional limits, which are 7.5 percent above the amount entered during
the first 12 months of the most recent 14 months preceding the month in
which the request for consultations was made, are being prorated to
correspond to the amount of days of the year covered by the restraint
period. As they begin on May 23 and run through December 31, 2005, a
period of 223 days, the notional limits will be prorated by a ratio of
223/365.
On April 8, 2005, the Committee solicited public comments on the
self-initiated investigations request (70 FR 17978, 70 FR 17979, 69 FR
17980). This public comment period ended on May 9, 2005. The public
comment period had also ended for the threat-based requests filed last
fall covering the same three product categories (69 FR 64912, 69 FR
64034, 69 FR 64914). The Committee determined that imports of Chinese
cotton knit shirts and blouses (Category 338/339); cotton trousers
(Category 347/348); and cotton and man-made fiber underwear (Category
352/652), due to market disruption and the threat of market disruption,
threatening to impede the orderly development of trade in these textile
products, and that imports of cotton knit shirts and blouses (Category
338/339); cotton trousers (Category 347/348); and cotton and man-made
fiber underwear (Category 352/652) from China play a significant role
in the existence and threat of market disruption. A summary statement
of the reasons and justifications for the U.S. request for
consultations concerning imports of Categories 338/339, 347/348, and
352/652 from the People's Republic of China follows this notice.
A description of the textile and apparel categories in terms of
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States numbers is available in
the CORRELATION: Textile and Apparel Categories with the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States (see Federal Register notice 69 FR
4926, published on February 2, 2005). Information regarding the 2005
CORRELATION will be published in the Federal Register at a later date.
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
[[Page 29724]]
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
May 20, 2005.
Commissioner,
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Washington, DC 20229.
Dear Commissioner: Pursuant to Section 204 of the Agricultural
Act of 1956, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); and Executive Order 11651
of March 3, 1972, as amended, you are directed to prohibit,
effective on May 23, 2005, entry into the United States for
consumption and withdrawal from warehouse for consumption of cotton
knit shirts and blouses (Category 338/339); cotton trousers
(Category 347/348); and cotton and man-made fiber underwear
(Category 352/652), produced or manufactured in the People's
Republic of China and exported during the period beginning on May
23, 2005, and extending through December 31, 2005, in excess of the
following limits.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category Quantity
------------------------------------------------------------------------
338/339................................... 4,704,115 dozen.
347/348................................... 4,340,638 dozen.
352/652................................... 5,062,892 dozen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Products which have been exported to the United States prior to
May 23, 2005, shall not be subject to the limit established in this
directive.
In carrying out the above directions, the Commissioner should
construe entry into the United States for consumption to include
entry for consumption into the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has
determined that these actions fall within the foreign affairs
exception of the rulemaking provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1).
Sincerely,
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
SUMMARY OF REASONS AND JUSTIFICATIONS FOR U.S. REQUEST FOR
CONSULTATIONS WITH CHINA PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 242 OF THE REPORT OF THE
WORKING PARTY ON THE ACCESSION OF CHINA TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Cotton Knit Shirts and Blouses
Category 338/339
The United States believes that imports of Chinese origin cotton
knit shirts and blouses are, due to the existence of market
disruption, threatening to impede the orderly development of trade
in these products. Further, the United States believes that imports
of Chinese origin cotton knit shirts and blouses are, due to the
threat of market disruption, threatening to impede the orderly
development of trade in these products. Either finding supports a
request for consultations with the Government of the People's
Republic of China under Paragraph 242 of the Report of the Working
Party on the Accession of China to the World Trade Organization
(``Paragraph 242''). The following facts, and others contained in
this Statement, support these beliefs:
U.S. Imports from China Are Increasing Rapidly in Absolute Terms.
U.S. imports of cotton knit shirts and blouses from China were
2,816,081 dozens for the entire twelve months of 2004. In the first
quarter of 2005, U.S. imports from China increased to 7,137,399
dozens, an increase of 1,277 percent from the first quarter of 2004
and over two and a half times the level of total calendar year 2004
imports from China.
U.S. Imports from the World Are Increasing Rapidly in Absolute
Terms. U.S. imports of cotton knit shirts and blouses from all
sources, excluding cotton knit shirts and blouses containing U.S.
components that were imported under outward processing programs,
increased from 58,343 thousand dozens in the first quarter of 2004
to 68,354 thousand dozens in the first quarter of 2005 - an increase
of 17 percent. Approximately two-thirds of this increase was
attributable to imports from China.
The Average Unit Value of Imports from China Is Falling in 2005. In
2004, the average unit value of U.S. cotton knit shirts and blouses
imports from China was US$99.57 per dozen. In the first three months
of 2005, the average unit value of those imports fell to US$39.88
per dozen, compared to US$44.38 per dozen for ``rest of world''
imports.
SUMMARY OF REASONS AND JUSTIFICATIONS FOR U.S. REQUEST FOR
CONSULTATIONS WITH CHINA PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 242 OF THE REPORT OF THE
WORKING PARTY ON THE ACCESSION OF CHINA TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Cotton Trousers, Slacks and Shorts
Category 347/348
The United States believes that imports of Chinese origin cotton
trousers, slacks and shorts are, due to the existence of market
disruption, threatening to impede the orderly development of trade
in these products. Further, the United States believes that imports
of Chinese origin cotton trousers, slacks and shorts are, due to the
threat of market disruption, threatening to impede the orderly
development of trade in these products. Either finding supports a
request for consultations with the Government of the People's
Republic of China under Paragraph 242 of the Report of the Working
Party on the Accession of China to the World Trade Organization
(``Paragraph 242''). The following facts, and others contained in
this Statement, support these beliefs:
U.S. Imports from China Are Increasing Rapidly in Absolute Terms.
U.S. imports of cotton trousers, slacks and shorts from China were
2,184,056 dozens for the entire twelve months of 2004. In the first
quarter of 2005, U.S. imports from China increased to 6,794,375
dozens, an increase of 1,573 percent from the first quarter of 2004
and over three times the level of total calendar year 2004 imports
from China.
U.S. Imports from the World Are Increasing Rapidly in Absolute
Terms. U.S. imports of cotton trousers, slacks and shorts from all
sources, excluding cotton trousers, slacks and shorts containing
U.S. components that were imported under outward processing
programs, increased from 32,194 thousand dozens in the first quarter
of 2004 to 38,844 thousand dozens in the first quarter of 2005 - an
increase of 21 percent. Over 90 percent of this increase was
attributable to imports from China.
The Average Unit Value of Imports from China Is Falling in 2005. In
2004, the average unit value of U.S. cotton trousers, slacks and
shorts imports from China was US$154.53 per dozen. In the first
three months of 2005, the average unit value of those imports fell
to US$66.64 per dozen, compared to US$82.07 per dozen for ``rest of
world'' imports.
SUMMARY OF THE REASONS AND JUSTIFICATIONS FOR U.S. REQUEST FOR
CONSULTATIONS WITH CHINA PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 242 OF THE REPORT OF THE
WORKING PARTY ON THE ACCESSION OF CHINA TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Cotton and Man-Made Fiber Underwear
Category 352/652
The United States believes that imports of Chinese origin cotton and
man-made fiber underwear (``underwear'') are, due to the existence
of market disruption, threatening to impede the orderly development
of trade in these products. Further, the United States believes that
imports of Chinese origin underwear are, due to the threat of market
disruption, threatening to impede the orderly development of trade
in these products. Either finding supports a request for
consultations with the Government of the People's Republic of China
under Paragraph 242 of the Report of the Working Party on the
Accession of China to the World Trade Organization (``Paragraph
242''). The following facts, and others contained in this Statement,
support these beliefs:
U.S. Imports from China Are Increasing Rapidly in Absolute Terms.
U.S. imports of underwear from China were 5,211,785 dozens for the
entire twelve months of 2004. In the first quarter of 2005, U.S.
imports from China increased to 5,252,622 dozens, an increase of 318
percent from the first quarter of 2004.
U.S. Imports from the World Are Increasing Rapidly in Absolute
Terms. U.S. imports of underwear from all sources, excluding
underwear containing U.S. components that were imported under
outward processing programs, increased from 28,468 thousand dozens
in the first quarter of 2004 to 32,770 thousand dozens in the first
quarter of 2005 - an increase of 15 percent. More than 90 percent of
this increase was attributable to imports from China.
[[Page 29725]]
The Average Unit Value of Imports from China Is Falling in 2005. In
2004, the average unit value of U.S. underwear imports from China
was US$31.46 per dozen. In the first three months of 2005, the
average unit value of those imports fell to US$15.68 per dozen,
compared to US$15.80 per dozen for ``rest of world'' imports.
[FR Doc. 05-10449 Filed 5-20-05; 2:11 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS
