[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 12788]]

                         SECTION 201 DECISIONS

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President I rise today to discuss my grave concern 
regarding the Section 201 petition


brought forward by America's domestic lamb industry. This case has been 
sitting on President Clinton's desk for more than 2 months. He has had 
more than ample time to make a decision. Furthermore, the decision was 
slated for June 5. For 10 days, America's sheep producers have been 
waiting, wondering what is going to happen to their livelihood.
  On February 9, 1999, the International Trade Commission voted 
unanimously that lamb imports are a threat to our industry. On March 
26, the sheep industry scored another victory with the decision by the 
International Trade Commission to support 4 years of market stability. 
Several remedies have been offered, including tariff rate quotas and 
ad-valorem tariffs. Now a decision by President Clinton to approve, 
deny, or modify those remedies has been expected since June 5.
  This administration has virtually ignored the request by America's 
sheep producers to solve the issue of excessive imports. While these 
producers are suffering, the President continues to deal with any and 
all other issues but this important agriculture case. While I 
understand that Kosovo and other world issues require much time and 
consideration, domestic policy cannot stand still during international 
situations.
  The agricultural producers of this country that provide food and 
fiber for the rest of the Nation, warrant more time and attention than 
this administration has paid them. I feel as though the crisis facing 
the sheep producers of this country is receiving about the same 
consideration from this administration as agriculture received 5 months 
ago in the State of the Union Address. Agriculture received a mere 
thirty seconds during that address and is receiving even less time in 
this important case.
  The domestic lamb industry has every reason to believe their market 
has been substantially undercut by these countries. Imports now make up 
nearly one-third of the domestic market, and comparisons of imported 
and domestic lamb meat have found that imports undercut domestic 
products nearly 80 percent of the time. Between 1993 and 1997 imports 
increased 47 percent. The problems of imports are very real and have 
had a substantial impact on sheep producers.
  Furthermore, the domestic industry has followed the legal process for 
trade action that is available to all industries under our trade 
agreements. The unanimous ruling of the ITC during the injury phase of 
this 201 case, followed by the entire Commission's recommendation to 
impose trade relief, clearly shows U.S. sheep producers have a viable 
case.
  I urge my fellow colleagues to join me in urging the president to 
make an extremely timely decision in support of the section 201 
petition and the recommendations made by the domestic sheep industry 
for strong and effective trade relief.

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