Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has issued a press release announcing that a delegation from the U.S. and Chinese governments has concluded two days of negotiations to establish a protocol for the resumption of U.S. beef sales to China. According to the press release, USDA officials are now traveling to Japan to continue discussions on the resumption of U.S beef sales to Japan. (FAS, PR 0057-06, dated 05/15/06, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0057-06)
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1. USDA Concludes Round of Talks with China on Resumption of U.S. Beef Sales
2. Imports of Rice at Issue in FTA Negotiations with South Korea, Malaysia
The Washington File reports that rice-the staple food for much of Asia-will likely be a tough issue in negotiations on a U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA), and could be an issue in U.S.-Malaysia FTA talks as well. The article notes that Korea negotiated two sequential 10-year exceptions from a WTO requirement that it convert its rice import ban to a tariff in exchange for establishing a minimum market-access quota that increases gradually. (Washington File Pub 05/11/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=May&x=20060511142438ebyessedo0.1483271&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
3. CBP Final Rule Establishes New Port of Entry in Tennessee & Virginia
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a final rule, effective June 15, 2006, establishing a new port of entry in the Tri-Cities area of the States of Tennessee and Virginia, including the Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The new port of entry includes the same geographical boundaries as the current CBP User Fee Port No. 2082. (USCBP-2005-000; CBP Dec. 06-14, FR Pub 05/16/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4535.pdf
4. USTR Determines Not to List Any Countries as Denying Fair Market Opportunities for Certain Airport Construction Projects
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that it has determined not to include any countries on the list of countries that deny fair market opportunities for U.S. products, suppliers, or bidders in foreign government-funded airport construction projects. (FR Pub 05/16/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7437.pdf
5. FDA Posts Various Food Safety Notices to its Web Site
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted the following food-safety related notices to its Web site:
Industry guidance on "Qualified Health Claims." FDA has issued guidance for industry (in the form of questions and answers) on its implementation of "Qualified Health Claims." (FDA guidance, dated 05/12/06, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/qhcqagui.html.)
Letter of denial for health claim petition related to whey protein in infant formula. FDA has issued guidance entitled "Qualified Health Claims: Letter of Denial - 100% Partially Hydrolyzed Whey Protein in Infant Formula and Reduced Risk of Food Allergy in Infants." (FDA guidance, dated 05/11/06, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/qhcwhey.html.)
Letter of denial for health claim petition for green tea. FDA has issued guidance entitled "Qualified Health Claims: Letter of Denial - Green Tea and Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease." (FDA guidance, dated 05/09/06, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/qhcgtea2.html.)
Industry guidance on preparing a color additive petition. FDA has issued guidance for industry on preparing a color additive petition for color additives used in or on contact lenses. (FDA guidance, dated May 2006, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/colguid.html.)
6. APHIS Seeks Comments on Information Collections
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
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FMC notice (FR Pub (03/29/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-4575.pdf