Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request under the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, 10227-10228 [E8-3620]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 26, 2008 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XF81 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a Reef Fish Advisory Panel (AP). DATES: The meeting will convene at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 and conclude no later than 5 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Radisson Hotel, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33716; telephone: (727) 572–7800. Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Atran, Population Dynamics Statistician; Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348–1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Reef Fish AP will review draft Reef Fish Amendment 30B to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 30B contains potential management measures to define overfishing and overfished thresholds and an optimum yield (OY) target for gag, end overfishing of gag, increase the total allowable catch (TAC) of the red grouper stock to its OY level, establish recreational and commercial allocations for gag and red grouper, establish accountability measures for gag to assure compliance with ending overfishing, adjust commercial grouper quotas and recreational grouper bag limits, closed seasons, and/or size limits, reduce discards and discard mortality of groupers, establish a new reef fish marine reserve and/or extend the duration of the existing MadisonSwanson and Steamboat Lumps marine reserves, and require that federally permitted reef fish vessels comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing in state waters. Copies of the agendas and other related materials can be obtained by calling (813) 348–1630. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come before the AP for discussion, in accordance with VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:29 Feb 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the AP will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agendas and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Tina Trezza at the Council (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 working days prior to the meeting. Dated: February 21, 2008. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–3552 Filed 2–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request under the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement February 20, 2008. Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA). ACTION: Request for Public Comments concerning a request for modification of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (USAFTA) rules of origin for a viscose/polyester blended yarn. AGENCY: SUMMARY: On February 1, 2008, the Chairman of CITA received a request from Gentry Mills, alleging that certain viscose rayon fiber, classified in subheading 5504.10.0000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic or Australian industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and requesting that CITA consider whether the USAFTA rule of origin for 52% viscose/48% polyester blended yarn, classified under HTSUS subheading 5510.90.2000 should be modified to allow the use of non-U.S. and non-Australian viscose rayon fiber. The President may proclaim a modification to the USAFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 after reaching an agreement with the Government of Australia on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether viscose rayon fiber of HTSUS 5504.10.0000 can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by March 27, 2008. to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Flaaten, International Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-4058. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as amended (7 USC 1854); Section 203 (o)(2)(B)(i) of the United States - Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 note) (USAFTA Implementation Act); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended. BACKGROUND: COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS PO 00000 10227 Sfmt 4703 Under the USAFTA, the parties are required to eliminate customs duties on textile and apparel goods that qualify as originating goods and meet the rules of origin set out in Annex 4-A to the USAFTA. The USAFTA provides that, after consultations, the parties may agree to revise the rules of origin for textile and apparel products to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the free trade area. See Article 4.2.5 of the USAFTA. In the consultations, each party must consider data presented by the other party showing substantial production of the good. Substantial production has been shown if domestic producers are capable of supplying commercial quantities of the good in a timely manner. The USAFTA Implementation Act provides the President with the authority to proclaim modifications to the USAFTA rules of origin as are necessary to implement the agreement after complying with the consultation and layover requirements of section 104 of the USAFTA Implementation Act. See section 203(o)(2)(B)(i) of the USAFTA Implementation Act. Executive Order 11651 established CITA to supervise the implementation of textile trade agreements and authorizes the Chairman of CITA to take actions or recommend that the United States take actions necessary to implement textile trade agreements. 37 FR 4699 (March 4, 1972). E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 10228 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 26, 2008 / Notices On February 1, 2008, the Chairman of CITA received a request from Gentry Mills, alleging that certain viscose rayon fiber, classified under subheading 5504.10.0000 of the HTSUS, cannot be supplied by the domestic or Australian industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and requesting that CITA consider whether the USAFTA rule of origin for 52% viscose/48% polyester blended yarn of HTSUS subheading 5510.90.2000 should be modified to allow the use of non-U.S. and nonAustralian viscose rayon fiber of HTSUS 5504.10.0000. CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, particularly with respect to whether the viscose rayon fiber described above can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be received no later than March 27, 2008. Interested persons are invited to submit six copies of such comments or information to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230. If a comment alleges that viscose rayon fiber can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner, CITA will closely review any supporting documentation, such as a signed statement by a manufacturer stating that it produces viscose rayon fiber that is the subject of the request, including the quantities that can be supplied and the time necessary to fill an order, as well as any relevant information regarding past production. CITA will protect any business confidential information that is marked ‘‘business confidential’’ from disclosure to the full extent permitted by law. CITA will make available to the public non-confidential versions of the request and non-confidential versions of any public comments received with respect to a request in Room 3001 in the Herbert Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230. In addition, non-confidential versions of the request and non-confidential versions of any public comments will be posted for public review on the Office of Textiles and Apparel (‘‘OTEXA’’) website (otexa.ita.doc.gov). Persons submitting comments on a request are encouraged to include a non- confidential version and a nonconfidential summary. R. Matthew Priest, Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. [FR Doc. E8–3620 Filed 2–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary of Defense Disestablishment of Department of Defense Federal Advisory Committees DoD. Disestablishment of Federal Advisory Committees. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), and the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), the Department of Defense gives notice that it is disestablishing the Department of Defense Retirement Board of Actuaries and the Department of Defense Education Benefits Board of Actuaries. The Department of Defense Retirement Board of Actuaries and the Department of Defense Education Benefits Board of Actuaries are nondiscretionary Federal advisory committees that are being disestablished pursuant to section 906(b) of Public Law 110–181. The responsibilities of both advisory committees will continue; however, they will be done by the Department of Defense Board of Actuaries, which was authorized by section 906(a) of Public Law 110–181. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Freeman, Deputy Committee Management Officer for the Department of Defense, 703–601–2554, extension 128. Dated: February 19, 2008. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. E8–3605 Filed 2–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary of Defense Establishment of Department of Defense Federal Advisory Committees DoD. Establishment of Federal Advisory Committee. AGENCY: ACTION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:29 Feb 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), and the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), the Department of Defense gives notice that it is establishing the Department of Defense Board of Actuaries (hereafter referred to as the Board). The Board is a non-discretionary federal advisory committee established under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 183. The Board shall: (1) Review valuations of the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 1465(c) and submit to the President and Congress, not less than once every four years, a report on the status of the Fund including such recommendations for modifications to the funding or amortization of that Fund as the Board considers appropriate and necessary to maintain that Fund on a sound actuarial basis; (2) review valuations of the Department of Defense Education Benefits Fund in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2006(e), as amended, and make recommendations to the President and Congress on such modifications to the funding or amortization of that Fund as the Board considers appropriate to maintain that Fund on a sound actuarial basis; and (3) review valuations of such other funds as the Secretary of Defense shall specify for purpose of 10 U.S.C. 183 and make recommendations to the President and Congress on such modifications to the funding or amortization of such funds as the Board considers appropriate to maintain such funds on a sound actuarial basis. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the Board has access to such records regarding the Military Retirement Fund and the Department of Defense Education Benefits Fund as the Board shall require to determine the actuarial status of such funds. The Board shall be composed of not more than three members appointed by the Secretary of Defense from among qualified professional actuaries who are members of the Society of Actuaries. Members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not federal officers or employees, shall serve as Special Government Employees under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. The members shall serve for a term of 15 years, except that a member of the Board appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the end of the term for which the predecessor was appointed shall serve only until the end of such term. A member may serve after the end of the term until a successor has taken office. A member of the Board may be removed by the Secretary of Defense for E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1

Agencies

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10227-10228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3620]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request 
under the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement

February 20, 2008.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Request for Public Comments concerning a request for 
modification of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (USAFTA) rules 
of origin for a viscose/polyester blended yarn.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On February 1, 2008, the Chairman of CITA received a request 
from Gentry Mills, alleging that certain viscose rayon fiber, 
classified in subheading 5504.10.0000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule 
of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic or 
Australian industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and 
requesting that CITA consider whether the USAFTA rule of origin for 52% 
viscose/48% polyester blended yarn, classified under HTSUS subheading 
5510.90.2000 should be modified to allow the use of non-U.S. and non-
Australian viscose rayon fiber. The President may proclaim a 
modification to the USAFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel 
products after reaching an agreement with the Government of Australia 
on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this 
request, in particular with regard to whether viscose rayon fiber of 
HTSUS 5504.10.0000 can be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by 
March 27, 2008. to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of 
Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Flaaten, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, (202) 482-4058.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as 
amended (7 USC 1854); Section 203 (o)(2)(B)(i) of the United States 
- Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 
note) (USAFTA Implementation Act); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 
1972, as amended.

BACKGROUND:

    Under the USAFTA, the parties are required to eliminate customs 
duties on textile and apparel goods that qualify as originating goods 
and meet the rules of origin set out in Annex 4-A to the USAFTA. The 
USAFTA provides that, after consultations, the parties may agree to 
revise the rules of origin for textile and apparel products to address 
issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the 
free trade area. See Article 4.2.5 of the USAFTA. In the consultations, 
each party must consider data presented by the other party showing 
substantial production of the good. Substantial production has been 
shown if domestic producers are capable of supplying commercial 
quantities of the good in a timely manner.
    The USAFTA Implementation Act provides the President with the 
authority to proclaim modifications to the USAFTA rules of origin as 
are necessary to implement the agreement after complying with the 
consultation and layover requirements of section 104 of the USAFTA 
Implementation Act. See section 203(o)(2)(B)(i) of the USAFTA 
Implementation Act. Executive Order 11651 established CITA to supervise 
the implementation of textile trade agreements and authorizes the 
Chairman of CITA to take actions or recommend that the United States 
take actions necessary to implement textile trade agreements. 37 FR 
4699 (March 4, 1972).

[[Page 10228]]

    On February 1, 2008, the Chairman of CITA received a request from 
Gentry Mills, alleging that certain viscose rayon fiber, classified 
under subheading 5504.10.0000 of the HTSUS, cannot be supplied by the 
domestic or Australian industry in commercial quantities in a timely 
manner and requesting that CITA consider whether the USAFTA rule of 
origin for 52% viscose/48% polyester blended yarn of HTSUS subheading 
5510.90.2000 should be modified to allow the use of non-U.S. and non-
Australian viscose rayon fiber of HTSUS 5504.10.0000.
    CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, 
particularly with respect to whether the viscose rayon fiber described 
above can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities 
in a timely manner. Comments must be received no later than March 27, 
2008. Interested persons are invited to submit six copies of such 
comments or information to the Chairman, Committee for the 
Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230.
    If a comment alleges that viscose rayon fiber can be supplied by 
the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner, CITA 
will closely review any supporting documentation, such as a signed 
statement by a manufacturer stating that it produces viscose rayon 
fiber that is the subject of the request, including the quantities that 
can be supplied and the time necessary to fill an order, as well as any 
relevant information regarding past production.
    CITA will protect any business confidential information that is 
marked ``business confidential'' from disclosure to the full extent 
permitted by law. CITA will make available to the public non-
confidential versions of the request and non-confidential versions of 
any public comments received with respect to a request in Room 3001 in 
the Herbert Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20230. In addition, non-confidential versions of the 
request and non-confidential versions of any public comments will be 
posted for public review on the Office of Textiles and Apparel 
(``OTEXA'') website (otexa.ita.doc.gov). Persons submitting comments on 
a request are encouraged to include a non-confidential version and a 
non-confidential summary.

R. Matthew Priest,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. E8-3620 Filed 2-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS

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