[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 161 (Monday, November 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2385]]



       INTRODUCTION OF DUTY SUSPENSION AND REDUCTION LEGISLATION

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                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 15, 1999

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce several duty 
suspension and duty reduction bills for materials used in the 
production of environmentally sensitive herbicides, pesticides, and 
fungicides that improve the quality of our lives.
  These duty suspension bills lower the cost of producing these 
products thereby lowering the cost to consumers and helping U.S. 
industries compete in the global marketplace. When American companies 
make the active ingredients for these chemicals, there is a proper role 
for duties to exist. However, when the active ingredients are only made 
by foreign companies, we needlessly increase costs for American 
businesses and consumers by imposing duties on their importation. By 
introducing these bills, I am triggering a careful review of these 
proposals by the House Ways and Means Committee and the International 
Trade Commission to make sure there are no domestic producers of these 
active ingredients so no one will be financially harmed.
  Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to highlight the beneficial 
uses of the final products these chemicals will produce. KN002 and 
KL084 are used to make citrus herbicides that are less toxic than many 
of the existing herbicides on the market. They require sixty percent 
less application to yield the same weed control result thus minimizing 
exposure to those who apply the herbicide. IN-N597 is used in the 
production of a rice herbicide. Like the citrus herbicides, it has 
environmental advantages over the existing rice herbicides on the 
market. Azoxystrobin is used in the production of a fungicide often 
used on golf courses. It also goes by the popular name Heritage, Abound 
or Quadris. DT-291 is a general fruit and vegetable insecticide. It has 
the unique ability to kill certain pests while leaving beneficial 
insects unharmed. Furthermore, DT-291 is well within the margins of 
safety to mammalian, avian, and aquatic organisms.
  Finally, Tralkoxydim is used in the production of a postemergence 
herbicide for wheat and barley. It is also known as Achieve. The 
Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that Achieve is a reduced 
risk herbicide. It presents negligible health risks to consumers 
because it is low in toxicity and does not leave detectable residues in 
cereal grain, straw or hay. Postemergence herbicides also have the 
advantage of low application rates. The herbicide is only needed if 
weeds emerge around the wheat. Many other wheat herbicides must be 
applied ahead of time to prevent weeds from developing regardless of 
whether they would have emerged naturally.
  Mr. Speaker, duty suspension bills are one of the most non-
controversial, bipartisan legislative initiatives because they are 
common sense for consumers, for the environment, and for enhancing the 
competitiveness of our domestic industries. I urge support for these 
proposals after the appropriate committees and agencies have thoroughly 
vetted these measures.

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