Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Vietnam's Jackson-Vanik Waiver Extended

2. U.S. and Chad Sign Open Skies Aviation Agreement

The State Department has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Chad have signed an Open Skies air transport agreement. According to the State Department, this agreement provides for open routes, capacity, frequencies, designations, all-cargo seventh freedom rights, and pricing, as well as opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including codesharing. (State Department press release, dated 06/31/06, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/67107.htm)

3. President Proclaims May 22, 2006 as National Maritime Day

President Bush issued Proclamation 8021 on May 19, 2006 in order to proclaim May 22, 2006 as National Maritime Day. (FR Pub 05/24/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4869.pdf)

4. PHMSA Withdrawal of Proposed Rule on Hazardous Materials Regulation

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a notice that it is withdrawing its December 30, 2004 proposed rule that would have amended 49 CFR parts 171-180 by further regulating the transportation of flammable liquids in the product piping on cargo tank motor vehicles. (PHMSA proposed rule, FR Pub 12/30/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-28561.pdf, PHMSA withdrawal, FR Pub 06/07/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-8782.pdf)

5. CBP Issues Correction on Notice of Intent to Distribute FY 2006 AD/CV Revenues

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a technical correction to its June 1, 2006 notice that announced its intent to distribute fiscal year (FY) 2006 antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CV) duties. CBP is correcting its notice because there is a duplication of the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Act of 2000 Form. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/12/06 news, 06061240, for BP summary of intent to distribute FY 2006 revenues.) (FR Pub 06/14/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/C6-4937.pdf)

6. FDA Posts Various Notices to its Web Site

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted the following notices to its Web site:

Summary Table of Recommended Toxicological Testing for Additives Used in Food. FDA has posted a summary table of recommended toxicological testing for additives used in food which provides a brief summary of recommendations for the minimum toxicity tests to be performed for safety evaluation of direct food additives and color additives used in food based on the FDA level of concern. (FDA table, dated 06/06, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/opatxgui.html)

History and Overview of FDA and CFSAN. FDA has posted an overview and history of the FDA and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). (FDA overview and history, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/lrd/fdahist.html.)

Q&A on Occurrence of Benzene in Beverages. FDA has issued a question and answer (Q&A) document on the occurrence of benzene in soft drinks and other beverages. (FDA Q&A document, dated 05/19/06, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/benzqa.html)

7. 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):