Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a press release announcing that FMC Chairman Steven R. Blust has announced that he intends to leave the FMC after the completion of his current term, once his replacement nominee has been confirmed by the Senate. The press release notes that Chairman Blust's term officially ends on June 30, 2006. (FMC press release NR-03, dated 06/13/06, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=220.)
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1. FMC Chairman Blust Announces Intention to Leave FMC
2. U.S. and Rwanda Sign Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that on June 7, 2006, the U.S. and Rwanda signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) which will create and provide a formal consultative mechanism to address bilateral trade issues and will help enhance trade and investment relations between these countries and may lead to sector specific and other trade-enhancing agreements. (USTR press release, dated 06/07/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/June/United_States_Rwa_Sign_Agreement_to_Deepen_Trade_Investment_Relations.html
3. BIS Final Rule on Coordinator Designation for Certain Appeals
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 13, 2006, revising 15 CFR 756.2 of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to authorize the Under Secretary for Industry and Security to designate any employee of the Commerce Department to be the coordinator for appeals of administrative actions taken under 15 CFR Part 756. (D/N 060602146-6146-01, FR Pub 06/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9220.pdf)
4. FTC Requests Comments on Nursery Industry Guides
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested public comments on its Guides for the Nursery Industry as part of its systematic review of all current FTC regulations and guides. Written comments should be received no later than August 14, 2006. (FR Pub 06/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9185.pdf)
5. BIS Issues Orders Denying Export Privileges to Certain Parties Exporting without a License
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued two Orders preventing Edsons Worldwide Services, Inc. and Eduard Mendelevich Yamnik, or anyone acting on their behalf, from participating in any transaction involving any exported item, or any other activity, that is subject to the Export Administrating Regulations for a period of ten years. The BIS found both the company and the individual to be in violation of 15 CFR 764.2(a) and (e), exporting an item subject to the EAR without a license, and transfer of an item with knowledge that a violation would occur, when they exported fingerprint powders to Belarus on January 6, 2001. (Edsons Order, D/N 06-RIS-05, FR Pub 06/12/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5283.pdf and Yamnik Order, D/N 06-BIS-06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5282.pdf)
6. ITC Law Library to Close for Renovation & Re-Open Under New Access Policy
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a notice announcing that its Law Library will be closed to the public during its renovation from June 12 - August 11, 2006. Furthermore, when the library does re-open, it will no longer be open to walk-in customers, but will be accessible by providing advance notice by telephone. (FR Pub 06/12/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9206.pdf)
7. FDA Posts Various Notices to its Web Site
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted the following notices to its Web site:
FDA/EPA 2004 advisory on seafood consumption still current. FDA has posted a statement regarding a 2004 FDA/Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consumer advisory "What You Need to Know about Mercury in Fish and Shellfish." In its statement, the FDA assures consumers that the advice contained in the 2004 advisory remains current and that FDA and EPA stand behind it. (FDA statement, dated 06/06/06, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01382.html)
FDA receives Keystone Forum Report on Away-From-Home Foods. FDA has posted a press release announcing that it has received a report, titled the "Keystone Forum on Away-from-Home Foods: Opportunities for Preventing Weight Gain and Obesity." (FDA press release P06-74, dated 06/02/06, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01379.html)
FDA 2005 Accomplishments. FDA has issued a press release listing its accomplishments in 2005. (FDA press release P06-44, dated 03/29/06, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2006/NEW01342.html)
8. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are 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):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| APHIS | Importation of Poultry Products | 07/17/06 |
| CBP 1 | Lien Notice (Form 3485) | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 2 | Application & Approval to Manipulate, Examine, Sample, or Transfer Goods (Form - 3499) | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 3 | General Declaration (Outward/Inward) (CBP Form 7507) | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 4 | Cargo Container and Road Vehicle Certification for Transport Under Customs Seal | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 5 | Application to Use ACE | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 6 | Application for Exemption from Special Landing Requirements (Overflight) (CBP Forms 442 and 442A) | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 7 | Declaration of Free Entry of Returned American Products (Form - 3311) | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 8 | Certificate of Registration (Forms 4455 and 4457) | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 9 | Exportation of Used-Propelled Vehicles | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 10 | Free Admittance Under Conditions of Emergency | 06/19/06 |
| CBP 11 | Foreign Assembler's Declaration (with Endorsement by Importer) | 06/19/06 |
(APHIS Information Collection, FR Pub 05/17/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7455.pdf)
(CBP 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7590.pdf)
(CBP 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7593.pdf)
(CBP 3 and 4 Information Collection, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7594.pdf)
(CBP 5 and 6 Information Collection, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7597.pdf)
(CBP 7 Information Collection, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7599.pdf)
(CBP 8 Information Collection, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7600.pdf)
(CBP 9 Information Collection, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7604.pdf)
(CBP 10 and 11 Information Collection, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7605.pdf)