[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 73 (Friday, April 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18957-18958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9553]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Implementation of Tariff-Rate Quota for Imports of Beef

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is 
providing notice that USTR has determined that New Zealand, pursuant to 
its request, is no longer a participating country for purposes of the 
export certification program for imports of beef under the tariff-rate 
quota.

DATES: The action is effective May 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Early, Senior Policy Advisor 
for Agricultural Affairs, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, 600 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20508; telephone: 
(202) 395-9615.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States maintains a tariff-rate 
quota on imports of beef as part of its implementation of the Marrakesh 
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. The in-quota 
quantity of that tariff-rate quota is allocated in part among a number 
of countries. As part of

[[Page 18958]]

the administration of that tariff-rate quota, USTR provided, in 15 CFR 
part 2012, for the use of export certificates with respect to imports 
of beef from countries that have an allocation of the in-quota 
quantity. The export certificates apply only to those countries that 
USTR determines are participating countries for purposes of 15 CFR part 
2012. USTR, pursuant to an earlier request by the government of New 
Zealand, previously determined that New Zealand was a participating 
country.
    The government of New Zealand has now requested that, effective May 
1, 1999, New Zealand no longer be considered as a participating country 
for purposes of the export certification program. Accordingly, USTR has 
determined that, effective May 1, 1999, New Zealand is not a 
participating country for purposes of 15 CFR part 2012. As a result, 
imports of beef from New Zealand will no longer need to be accompanied 
by an export certificate in order to qualify for the in-quota tariff 
rate.
Charlene Barshefsky,
United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 99-9553 Filed 4-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M