[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 159 (Thursday, August 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42925-42926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20440]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
[Docket No. 301-95]
Termination of Investigation: Korean Agricultural Market Access
Restrictions
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has terminated
an investigation initiated under section 302(a) of the Trade Act of
1974 (Trade Act) of Korean practices with respect to the importation of
certain U.S. agricultural products, after having reached a satisfactory
agreement resolving the issues under investigation, and will monitor
Korea's implementation of this agreement in accordance with section 306
of the Trade Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This investigation was terminated effective July 20,
1995.
ADDRESSES: Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20508.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christina Lund, Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia and the Pacific (202)
395-6813, or Thomas Robertson, Assistant General Counsel (202) 395-
6800.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 18, 1994, the National Pork
Producers Council, the American Meat Institute, and the National
Cattlemen's Association (petitioners) filed a petition under section
302(a) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2412(a)), alleging that certain
practices of the Government of Korea regarding the importation of U.S.
beef and pork products violate U.S.-Korean bilateral trade agreements
and are unreasonable and burden or restrict United States commerce. The
Petitioners asserted in particular that the Korean government had
established a number of specific barriers which denied their products
access to the Korean market. The alleged barriers included the
following: outdated, scientifically unsupported and discriminatory
shelf-life standards; excessively long inspection procedures; contract
tender procedures that prevent U.S. producers from meaningfully
participating in the bidding process; local processing and repackaging
requirements; discriminatory fixed-weight requirements; dual standards
for residue testing; and unreasonably short pork temperature reduction
requirements.
On November 22, 1994, pursuant to section 302(a) of the Trade Act,
the USTR initiated an investigation of the practices referred to in the
petition and requested consultations with the Korean government as
required by section 303(a) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2413(a)). See 59
FR 61006 (November 29, 1994). On May 3, 1995, the United States
requested consultations under Article XXII of the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade 1994, Article 11 of the Agreement on the Application
of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Article 14 of the Agreement on
Technical Barriers to Trade, Article 19 of the Agreement on
Agriculture, and Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules
[[Page 42926]]
and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes.
On July 20, 1995, after extensive negotiations, the United States
and Korea reached agreement on measures to open the Korean market to
U.S. meat and other food products. Specifically, Korea agreed to phase-
out its current system of establishing shelf-life standards and to
replace it with a system in which manufacturers will set their own
``use-by'' dates. For chilled, vacuum-packed pork and beef and all
frozen food (including frozen beef, pork and poultry), Korea's new
manufacturer-determined shelf life system will come into effect on July
1, 1996. From October 1, 1995, until July 1, 1996, these products will
be subject to specific government-mandated shelf-life dates that will
allow trade to take place until the new system takes effect. All dried,
packaged, canned or bottled products will be subject to the new system
as of October 1, 1995. In addition, Korea has agreed to ensure that any
maximum residue level for imported excretory organ meats is consistent
with international standards established by the CODEX Alimentarius
Commission; to notify the Harmonized Tariff System tariff heading or
subheading for each item subject to a government-mandated shelf life on
or after October 1, 1995; to extend the maximum chilling period for
pork from 24 to 48 hours; and to provide at least seven days advance
notice prior to offering a tender for the purchase of pork, and a
period of at least 30 days for arrival of a product to fulfill the
contract.
On the basis of this agreement the USTR has decided to terminate
this investigation. The USTR will monitor Korea's implementation of the
agreement pursuant to section 306 of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2416).
Irving A. Williamson,
Chairman, Section 301 Committee.
[FR Doc. 95-20440 Filed 8-16-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M