[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 210 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58745-58746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28810]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-386]


Macadamia Nuts: Economic and Competitive Conditions Affecting the 
U.S. Industry

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: October 23, 1997.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on September 15, 1997, of a request from the 
Senate Committee on Finance (Committee), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-386, Macadamia Nuts: Economic and Competitive 
Conditions Affecting the U.S. Industry, 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 major 
world markets for macadamia nuts. As requested by the Committee, the 
Commission's report on the investigation will include the following 
information:
    (1) A description of the competitive factors affecting the domestic 
macadamia nut industry, including competition from imports of macadamia 
nuts;
    (2) To the extent data are available, a description of the prices 
U.S. consumers pay for macadamia nuts compared with the prices paid for 
macadamia nuts by consumers in other major markets for macadamia nuts, 
and a description of the degree to which quotas, tariffs, or other 
trade barriers affect such prices;
    (3) A description of the extent to which trade practices and 
barriers to trade by other competing countries are impeding the 
marketing of domestically produced macadamia nuts; and
    (4) An analysis of current conditions of trade in macadamia nuts 
between the United States and macadamia nut exporting countries (in 
particular, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, and the Central American 
countries) and between the exporting countries and the rest of the 
world, as well as any recent changes in such conditions, including 
information on prices, cost of production, marketing practices, and 
market shares of foreign suppliers in the U.S. market.
    As requested by the Committee, the Commission will submit the 
results of its investigation by September 30, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information on industry aspects may be 
obtained from Stephen Burket, Office of Industries (202-205-3318) or 
John Reeder, Office of Industries (202-205-3319); 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 (202-205-1820). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202-205-1810).

Public Hearings

    Public hearings in connection with the investigation will be held 
in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and in Washington, DC.
    Hawaii hearing.--The hearing will be held at King Kamehameha's Kona 
Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Road, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 
March 25, 1998. Requests to appear at the public hearing in Kailua-Kona 
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. (Eastern Standard Time) March 11, 1998. Persons testifying at the 
hearing are encouraged to file prehearing briefs or statements; the 
deadline for filing such briefs or statements (a signed original and 14 
copies) is March 13, 1998. The deadline

[[Page 58746]]

for filing posthearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m. (Eastern 
Daylight Time) May 15, 1998. In the event that, as of the close of 
business March 11, 1998, no witnesses are scheduled to appear, the 
hearing will be canceled. Any person interested in attending the 
hearings as an observer or non-participant may call the Secretary to 
the Commission (202-205-1816) after March 11, 1998 to determine whether 
the hearing will be held.
    Washington, DC hearing.--The hearing will be held in Washington, DC 
at the International Trade Commission building, 500 E Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20436, beginning at 9:30 am on Thursday, April 30, 1998. 
Requests to appear at the public hearing in Washington, DC 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. (Eastern 
Standard Time) April 14, 1998. Persons testifying at the hearing are 
encouraged to file prehearing briefs or statements; the deadline for 
filing such briefs or statements (a signed original and 14 copies) is 
April 21, 1998. The deadline for filing posthearing briefs or 
statements is 5:15 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) May 15, 1998. In the 
event that, as of the close of business on April 14, 1998, no witnesses 
are scheduled to appear, the hearing will be canceled. Any person 
interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-participant 
may call the Secretary of the Commission (202-205-1816) to determine 
whether the hearing will be held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of or in addition to participating in the public hearings, 
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 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, 1998. 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: October 24, 1997.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-28810 Filed 10-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P