Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released a statement applauding the repeal of the 'Step 2' cotton export subsidy program. The 'Step 2' program was repealed August 1, 2006 by the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/10/06 news, 06021005, for BP summary of the repeal of the 'Step 2' program.) (USTR press release, dated 08/02/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/August/Schwab_Applauds_Formal_Repeal_of_Step_2_Cotton_Program.html.)
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1. USTR Applauds Repeal of the 'Step 2' Cotton Program
2. U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board Meeting
The International Trade Administration (ITA) issued a notice announcing that the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board) was scheduled to hold a meeting on July 13, 2006 in Chicago, IL to discuss topics related to the travel and tourism industry. (ITA notice, FR Pub 06/21/06, http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5542.pdf.)
3. BIS Requests Comments on Disposal Level for Tantalum Carbide Powder
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a notice advising the public that the National Defense Stockpile Market Impact Committee is seeking public comments by July 24, 2006, on the potential market impact of increasing the National Defense Stockpile's proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Annual Materials Plan disposal level for tantalum carbide powder. (BIS notice, FR Pub 06/23/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9942.pdf.)
4. CDC Summary of Its Public Meeting on Animal Importation and Trade
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a notice announcing that on May 18, 2006 it hosted a public meeting on the subject of infectious disease threats associated with exotic animal importation and trade. The notice also includes the CDC summary of information presented at the public meeting. (CDC notice, FR Pub 08/07/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-12736.pdf.)
5. USTR Determination Regarding Waiver of Discriminatory Government Procurement Requirements (DR-CAFTA for Guatemala)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that, effective July 31, 2006, it has made certain determinations regarding the waiver of discriminatory purchasing requirements with respect to government procurement of goods and services covered by Chapter 9 of the Dominican Republic-Central America- U.S. FTA (DR-CAFTA) for Guatemala. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/23/06 and 05/17/06 news, 06032320 and 06051720, for BP summaries of the USTR's waiver of discriminatory government purchasing requirements for El Salvador, and for Honduras & Nicaragua, respectively.) (USTR Pub 07/31/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-12222.pdf)
6. Coast Guard Regional Examination Center at New Orleans to Reopen
The Coast Guard has released a press release announcing that the Coast Guard Regional Examination Center at New Orleans will reopen on August 9, 2006. The press release states that the examination center in New Orleans will offer fingerprinting, examinations, and identification verification services for merchant marine applications. (Coast Guard press release, dated 07/28/06, available at https://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/786/126442/)
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):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| FDA | Experimental Study of Qualified Health Claims: Consumer Inferences About Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated Fatty Acids From Olive Oil, and Green Tea | 06/21/06 |
| CBP 1 | Importers ID Input Record (Form-5106) | 07/13/06 |
| CBP 2 | Harbor Maintenance Fee (Forms 349 and 350) | 07/13/06 |
| CBP 3 | Crew Members Declaration (Form-5129) | 07/13/06 |
| CBP 4 | Application for Identification/Smart Card (CBP Form-3078) | 07/17/06 |
| APHIS 1 | Certification Program for Imported Articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. To Prevent Introduction of Potato Brown Rot | 08/15/06 |
| APHIS 2 | Veterinary Services; Customer Service Survey | 08/15/06 |
| AMS | Applications for Export Certification | 08/18/06 |
(FDA Information Collection, FR Pub 05/22/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7692.pdf)
(CBP 1 and 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9160.pdf)
(CBP 3 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9162.pdf)
(CBP 4 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/15/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9159.pdf)
(APHIS 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/16/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9468.pdf)
(APHIS 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 06/16/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9469.pdf)
(AMS Information Collection, FR Pub 06/19/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9544.pdf)