[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]


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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.

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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