[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5484-5485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2829]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-378]


Fresh and Processed Potatoes: Competitive Conditions Affecting 
the U.S. and Canadian Industries

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: January 29, 1997.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on January 15, 1997, of a request from the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission 
instituted investigation No. 332-378, Fresh and Processed Potatoes: 
Competitive Conditions Affecting the U.S. and Canadian Industries, 
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), for 
the purpose of providing a report on factors affecting trade between 
the United States and Canada in fresh tablestock potatoes, seed 
potatoes, raw potatoes for processing, and frozen processed potatoes. 
As requested by the USTR, the Commission's report on the investigation 
will focus on the period 1992-96, and to the extent possible, 1997, and 
will include the following information for each of the four product 
areas:
    (1) Production and/or processing volumes and trends in Canada and 
the United States over the past 5 years.
    (2) U.S. imports from Canada over the last 5 years, including 
market share of Canadian exports, with particular emphasis on any 
increases in U.S. imports from Canada.
    (3) Consumption trends for raw and finished processed potato 
products in Canada and the United States over the last 5 years.
    (4) Federal, provincial, and municipal aid programs in Canada for 
Canadian growers and processors, including aid for the construction of 
storage, water treatment, and processing facilities; a compilation of 
existing literature and industry views on the impact of such aid on the 
competitiveness of Canadian producers.
    (5) For the last 3 years, prices of Canadian products in Canada and 
in U.S. markets, together with prices of U.S. products in U.S. markets.
    (6) The effect of exchange rates and terms of sale factors on 
Canadian prices.
    (7) The cost of production in Canada and in the United States, 
including raw material costs for processed products, over the last 3 
years.
    As requested, the Commission will, to the extent possible, 
supplement national data presented in the report with regional and/or 
seasonal highlights, and that the Commission also include an analysis 
of any other factors affecting the conditions of competition between 
the U.S. and Canadian fresh potato and processed potato industries.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will submit the results of 
its investigation on an expedited basis, but not later than July 15, 
1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on industry aspects may be 
obtained from Tim McCarty, Office of Industries (202-205-3324) or 
Douglas Newman, Office of Industries (202-205-3328); and legal aspects, 
from William Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). 
The media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External 
Relations (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202-205-1810).

PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing in connection with the investigation 
will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on April 30, 1997. 
All persons will have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to 
present information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public 
hearing should be filed with the Secretary, United States International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, no later than 
5:15 p.m. April 14, 1997. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 
copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., April 21, 1997; the 
deadline for filing posthearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., May 
15, 1997. In the event that, as of the close of business on April 14, 
1997, no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing 
will be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an 
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission 
(202-205-1816) after April 14, 1997, to determine whether the hearing 
will be held.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: In lieu of or in addition to participating in the 
public hearing, interested persons are invited to submit written 
statements concerning the matters to be addressed in the report. 
Commercial or financial information that a party desires the Commission 
to treat as confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, 
each clearly marked ``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. 
All submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the 
requirements of section 201.6

[[Page 5485]]

of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All 
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will 
be made available for inspection by interested persons in the Office of 
the Secretary to the Commission. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be submitted at the earliest practical date and should be 
received no later than May 15, 1997. All submissions should be 
addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the 
Secretary at 202-205-2000.

    Issued: January 29, 1997.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-2829 Filed 2-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P