[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-115]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 727]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Price Undercutting of Domestic Swiss Cheese by Imported Swiss 
Cheese From Canada and Germany

AGENCY: Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice.

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    The U.S. Department of Agriculture received a complaint alleging 
price undercutting of domestic Swiss cheese in the United States by 
imported subsidized Swiss cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty 
produced in Canada and Germany. Under section 702 of the Trade 
Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1202 note), the Secretary 
of Agriculture must conduct an investigation and make a determination 
as to the validity of the allegations within 30 days.
    Based on the investigation of the Director of the Dairy, Livestock 
and Poultry Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, conducted pursuant 
to the regulations at 7 C.F.R. 6.40-.44, I have determined that 
although available information suggests price undercutting of U.S. 
Swiss cheese by Swiss cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty 
imported from Canada and Germany, this information is insufficient for 
the purposes of section 702 upon which to make a positive determination 
at this time that price undercutting has occurred. I am, however, 
directing the Department to monitor U.S. cheese markets for price 
undercutting by cheese imported subject to an in-quota rate of duty. I 
am also directing the Department, in coordination with the Office of 
the United States Trade Representative, to analyze the Canadian dairy 
price pooling system, including any implications this system would have 
for Canada's North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade 
Organization export subsidy obligations.
    Robert S. LaRussa, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import 
Administration, Department of Commerce, has determined that subsidies 
provided by the Government of Canada on Swiss cheese exported to the 
United States averaged $0.26 per pound during the investigations 
period. In the case of Germany, the Department of Commerce determined 
that the average export restitution payment provided by the European 
Union during the investigation period was $0.45 per pound on Swiss 
cheese exported to the United States.

    Done at Washington, D.C., this 27th day of December, 1996.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 97-115 Filed 1-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M