Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The U.S. Trade Representative has provided an update on the status of the 2005 ATPA/ATPDEA Annual Review, which also includes remaining petitions from the 2004 ATPA/ATPDEA Annual Reviews whose results will be issued as part of the 2005 Annual Review. The USTR states that the issues raised by the petition filed by LeTourneau of Peru, Inc. with respect to Peru have been resolved and that its review is being terminated. With respect to the other pending petitions, the USTR is modifying its schedule so that the 2005 Annual Review continues through December 31, 2006, which is the period the ATPA/ATPDEA is in effect. (USTR notice, FR Pub 10/04/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-16421.pdf )
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1. USTR Update on Status of ATPA/ATPDEA 2004 - 2005 Annual Reviews
2. FDA Announces Availability of Guidance on Bioterrorism Recordkeeping
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing the availability of its 4th edition of guidance entitled, "Questions and Answers Regarding Establishment and Maintenance of Records." The FDA states that this guidance responds to various questions raised about the Bioterrorism Act and the FDA's implementing regulation. Among other things, the FDA reminds interested parties that companies employing 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) have until December 11, 2006 to achieve compliance. Written or electronic comments may be submitted at any time. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/29/06 news, 06092999 5, for earlier BP summary of its availability.) (D/N 2005D-0356, FR Pub 09/26/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-8241.pdf)
3. AMS Proposes Increased Fees for Egg, Poultry and Rabbit Grading
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a proposed rule that would increase the fees and charges for Federal voluntary egg, poultry, and rabbit grading, certification, and audit services, and establish a separate billing rate for audit services. Comments must be received on or before November 6, 2006. (D/N PY-06-002, FR Pub 10/06/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-16528.pdf)
4. OFAC Designates 5 Entities, 15 Individuals under Kingpin Act, Etc.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a notice publishing the names of five additional entities and fifteen additional individuals whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). The OFAC is also changing the listing of two previously designated individuals. (FR Pub 10/04/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-16424.pdf
5. ITA Extends Application Deadline, Increases Participants for India Business Summit
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice extending the deadline to October 27, 2006 for submission of applications for the Summit only portion of the Department of Commerce Under Secretarial Business Development Mission to India and raising the ceiling on the number of participants for the Summit only portion to 230. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/18/06 news, 06071899 3, for BP summary of the ITA's announcement of the Summit.) (ITA Notice, FR Pub 10/02/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-16221.pdf)
6. ITA to Have Open Meeting on EU's Proposed Metric Labeling Mandate
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice announcing that the European Union (EU) has developed legislation that could mandate that U.S. businesses only use metrics when manufacturing for sale in the EU. As a result of this proposed mandate, the ITA will have an open meeting on October 12, 2006 in Washington, DC that will provide U.S. industries an opportunity to express their concerns and ask relevant questions about the legislation. (FR Pub 10/12/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-16930.pdf)
7. GAO Report Says Capacity & Infrastructure Challenges Loom for Railroads
Shippers' NewsWire reports that, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, increased rates this decade have helped the freight railroad industry's financial performance, but capacity and infrastructure crunches loom. (American Shipper Pub 10/09/06, www.americanshipper.com)