[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79426-79427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32253]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-423]


The Effects of EU Policies on the Competitive Position of the 
U.S. and EU Horticultural Products Sectors

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: December 7, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, Douglas 
Newman (202-205-3328; [email protected]), Tim McCarty (202-205-3324;

[[Page 79427]]

[email protected]), or Cathy Jabara (202-205-3309; [email protected]), 
Agriculture and Forest Products Division, Office of Industries, or for 
information on legal aspects, William Gearhart (202-205-3091; 
[email protected]), Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International 
Trade Commission. Hearing impaired persons can obtain information on 
this study by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810. General information concerning the Commission may also be 
obtained by accessing its internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).

Background

    In response to a letter received on November 16, 2000, from the 
United States Trade Representative, the Commission instituted an 
investigation for the purpose of preparing a report that will describe 
the effects of EU policies on the competitive position of the U.S. and 
EU horticultural products sectors generally, and for several specific 
products.
    As requested, the Commission's report will include the following:
    (1) A description of the U.S. and EU fresh and processed 
horticultural products sectors, including recent patterns of 
production, consumption, and trade;
    (2) A description and analysis of the conditions of trade in 
various horticultural products between the U.S. and EU and third 
countries, including tariff treatment and use of export subsidies;
    (3) A description and analysis of EU and member state domestic 
support programs and policies used to assist horticultural products 
producers, shippers, and exporters; and
    (4) An analysis of the effects of EU policies on trade between the 
U.S. and EU industries in specific horticultural products sectors, 
especially the effects of tariffs and assistance programs and other 
significant factors, such as production and marketing costs, exchange 
rates, and prices.
    The report will specifically address the following horticultural 
products identified by the USTR: Citrus (including fresh oranges, fresh 
clementines, fresh lemons, and orange juice), deciduous fruit 
(including fresh apples, fresh pears, fresh peaches, and processed 
peaches), dried prunes, tree nuts (including almonds, walnuts, and 
hazelnuts), tomatoes (including fresh tomatoes and processed tomatoes), 
and wine. The USTR stated that it intends to make available to the 
public the portion of the report that addresses points (1)-(3) above, 
and that the portion of the report that addresses point (4) above will 
be national security classified.

Preliminary Written Comments

    In order to assist the Commission in identifying the issues 
affecting the above sectors, the Commission requests that interested 
parties provide preliminary written comments on such issues by March 1, 
2001. All preliminary written comments should be addressed to the 
Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, 
SW, Washington, DC 20436. 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 April 26, 2001. All persons 
will have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present 
information and 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 12, 2001. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., April 16, 2001; the deadline 
for filing posthearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., June 11, 
2001. In the event that, as of the close of business, April 12, 2001, 
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 
(202-205-1806) after April 12, 2001, to determine whether the hearing 
will be held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of, or in addition to, participating in the hearing, 
interested persons 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 which a submitter 
desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be provided 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 Sec. 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 of the Commission for 
inspection by interested persons. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be submitted to the Commission in accordance with Sec. 201.8 of 
the Commission's rules at the earliest practical date and should be 
received no later than the close of business on June 11, 2001. All 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. 
The Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions with the 
Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.
    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: December 12, 2000.

By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-32253 Filed 12-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P