The Chemical World This Week WASHINGTON
MARCH
12,
1962
CONCENTRATES
• Tariffs on chemicals may be cut to zero in
negotiations between the U.S. and the European Common Market nations, under the President's proposed trade program. Release of the so-called "zero list" confirms hints dropped by Commerce Department officials that chemicals might be prime targets in tariff bargaining between the U.S. and ECM (see page 21). Included in the zero list, which represents products in which exports from the U.S. and ECM totaled 80% or more of free world exports in 1960, are organic chemicals; miscellaneous chemicals, including plastics and insecticides; paints and pigments; perfumes, cosmetics, and cleansing preparations; margarine and shortenings; and rubber products. However, under the proposed trade program, the President could put such items on a reserved list if he thinks tariff cuts might endanger the nation or the economy. • The U.S. chemical industry appears to have fared pretty well in tariff deals negotiated under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The U.S. obtained tariff cuts from the European Common Market on 244 chemicals, exports of which were valued at $203 million in 1958. They include organic and inorganic chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, the U.S. granted concessions on 80 chemicals, total imports of which were valued at $25 million in 1958. Included on this list are coal tar products and several classes of industrial chemicals. In order to keep the negotiations from collapsing, President Kennedy says, the U.S. had to cut tariffs on some products below the peril points recommended by the Tariff Commission. The only chemicals in this category are sodium nitrate and ferrochrome. • Restoration of funds for the AEC's low-dose food-irradiation program for fiscal 1963 will be asked by the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. JAEC's subcommittee on research, development, and radiation last week took Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Glenn T. Seaborg to task for failing to defend the food irradiation program's budget adequately before the Bureau of the Budget. AEC is developing commercial uses for pasteurizing doses of radiation to extend the shelf life of some highly perishable foods. AEC asked the Budget Bureau for $2.8 million; it got nothing. According to Chairman Seaborg, the program will continue at its present $500,000-
a-year level ( half of its fiscal 1962 appropriation ) by rescheduling AEC's 1963 budget. Committee members indicate that part of the funds could be restored either by a rider on the appropriations bill or by working parts of the program into the budget of other agencies involved in the program. • The chemical industry backs the purposes of the Water Resources Planning Act (S. 2246) but thinks some changes should be made to make it a more effective conservation instrument. S. 2246, now the subject of hearings before the Senate Interior Committee, would set up a series of regional planning commissions to develop water resources on the basis of river basins and would provide funds for the necessary planning. The Manufacturing Chemists' Association, in a statement filed with the committee, supports the section of the bill which provides matching grants to the states as a way to encourage state action in planning for the water needs of the future. But, MCA says, local groups should play a bigger part in the regional commissions which, under S. 2246, would be almost completely dominated by the Federal Government. • Copies of reports filed with the Census Bureau would be kept confidential, under terms of a bill introduced last week by Rep. David N. Henderson (D.-N.C). H.R. 10569 would amend the U.S. Code to protect the confidentiality of the retained copies of reports industry submits to Census. In the St. Regis Paper case (C&EN, Dec. 18,1961, page 21), the Supreme Court ruled that government agencies may subpoena copies of reports submitted to Census even though the law bars Census from revealing information contained in the originals. Rep. Henderson fears that lack of secrecy may damage the reports' accuracy and reliability. • California will take control over radioactive materials within the state on July 1. The
Atomic Energy Commission has signed an agreement transferring some of its regulatory controls over radioactive materials to the state and has sent it to California's governor for signature. Under California law, ratification of the agreement by the legislature is required before the agreement can go into effect. California is the second state to take control over radioactive materials; AEC signed a similar agreement with Kentucky last month (C&EN, Feb. 12, page 23). MARCH
12, 1 9 6 2
C&EN
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