[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 155 (Wednesday, August 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43193-43194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21619]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-396]
Economic Trends and Barriers to Trade in Products Covered by the
WTO Agreement on Agriculture
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 3, 1998.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on July 20, 1998, from the U.S.
Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted investigation
No. 332-396, Economic Trends and Barriers to Trade in Products Covered
by the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, under section 332(g) of the Tariff
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Industry-specific information may be obtained
from Cathy Jabara (202-205-3309) or Roger Corey (202-205-3327), Office
of Industries, U.S. International Trade
[[Page 43194]]
Commission, Washington, DC 20436. For information on the legal aspects
of this investigation contact William Gearhart of the Office of the
General Counsel (202-205-3091). News media should contact Peg
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.
Background
The USTR has requested that the Commission provide a report
containing an informational and analytical resource base to assist the
Administration in the upcoming WTO negotiations on agriculture trade to
begin in late 1999. As requested by USTR, in preparing its report, the
Commission will examine the following sectors (including both the basic
commodity and its processed products, as appropriate): grains; oilseeds
(including peanuts); dairy; animals and animal products, other than
dairy; sugar and other sweeteners; wine; cotton; fruits and vegetables
(and tree nuts); and other products as covered in the WTO Agreement on
Agriculture. The examination will include:
(1) Recent trends in trade, production, and other relevant economic
variables in these sectors;
(2) Barriers and/or distortions in major countries and product
markets affecting this trade; and
(3) Methodologies for assessment of the effects of changes in
various trade rules in each of these sectors upon the trade and
economic interests of the United States.
The report will also include summaries of the information
developed, both with respect to sector trends and trade barriers.
As requested, the Commission plans to transmit its report to USTR
by July 20, 1999, USTR has indicated portions of the report will be
classified as ``confidential'' and will also be regarded as an inter-
agency memorandum that will contain predecisional advice and be subject
to the deliberative process privilege.
Preliminary Written Comments
(1) In order to assist the Commission in identifying the barriers
and/or distortions referred to above, the Commission requests that
interested parties provide preliminary written comments on such
barriers and/or distortions by November 30, 1998. (2) All preliminary
written comments should be addressed to the Secretary, United States
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
(3) Interested parties are also encouraged to provide further
information at the public hearing and in prehearing and posthearing
briefs/statements.
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 March 16, 1999. 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., March 2, 1999. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies)
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., March 4, 1999; the deadline
for filing posthearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., March 31,
1999. In the event that, as of the close of business on March 2, 1999,
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 March 2, 1999 to determine whether the hearing
will be held.
Written Submissions
In lieu of, or in addition to, participating in the hearing,
interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning
the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this
investigation. Commercial or financial information that a submitter
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 in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission for
inspection by interested parties. To be assured of consideration by the
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report
should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date
and should be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 31, 1999. 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. General information concerning the
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server
(http://www.usitc.gov).
List of Subjects
WTO, agricultural trade, production, barriers, distortions, grains,
oilseeds, dairy, animals and animal products, sugar and other
sweeteners, wine, cotton, fruits and vegetables, Agreement on
Agriculture, and methodologies.
Issued: August 5, 1998.
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-21619 Filed 8-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P