[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 25568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11903]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-357-812]


Honey From Argentina: Notice of Partial Rescission of Antidumping 
Duty Administrative Review

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of partial rescission of antidumping duty administrative 
review.

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SUMMARY: On January 22, 2003, the Department of Commerce (the 
Department) published in the Federal Register (68 FR 3009) a notice 
announcing the initiation of the administrative review of the 
antidumping duty order on honey from Argentina. The period of review 
(POR) is May 11, 2001, to November 30, 2002. This review has now been 
partially rescinded with respect to Compania Apicola Argentina S.A. 
(CAA) and Mielar S.A. (Mielar) because all parties requesting the 
review withdrew their request.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 13, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis Hall or Donna Kinsella, 
Enforcement Group III, Office 8, Import Administration, International 
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 7866, Washington, DC 20230; telephone 
(202) 482-1398 or (202) 482-0194, respectively.

Scope of the Review

    The merchandise under review is honey from Argentina. For purposes 
of this review, the products covered are natural honey, artificial 
honey containing more than 50 percent natural honey by weight, 
preparations of natural honey containing more than 50 percent natural 
honey by weight, and flavored honey. The subject merchandise includes 
all grades and colors of honey whether in liquid, creamed, comb, cut 
comb, or chunk form, and whether packaged for retail or in bulk form. 
The merchandise under review is currently classifiable under 
subheadings 0409.00.00, 1702.90.90, and 2106.90.99 of the Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Although the HTSUS 
subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs (as of March 1, 
2003, renamed the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection) 
purposes, the Department's written description of the merchandise under 
this order is dispositive.

Background

    On December 30, 2002, CAA and Mielar requested an administrative 
review of the antidumping duty order (See Notice of Antidumping Duty 
Order: Honey from Argentina, 66 FR 63672 (December 10, 2001)) on honey 
from Argentina in response to the Department's notice of opportunity to 
request a review published in the Federal Register. On December 31, 
2002, the American Honey Producers Association and the Sioux Honey 
Association (collectively petitioners) requested an administrative 
review of Mielar S.A. On January 22, 2003, the Department initiated the 
review. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part, 68 FR 3009 
(January 22, 2003).
    On March 18, 2003, CAA submitted a withdrawal of request for review 
stating that it did not have any sales that entered into the United 
States during the POR. On March 26, 2003, Mielar submitted a letter of 
withdrawal from the proceeding citing lack of experience since Mielar 
was not represented by legal counsel. On April 4, 2003, Mielar obtained 
legal counsel and requested that its request for review be reinstated 
as it was not aware of the possible consequences of its withdrawal at 
the time of the March 26, 2003, letter. On April 15, 2003, petitioners 
submitted a withdrawal of their request for review of Mielar. On April 
15, 2003, Mielar submitted a withdrawal of its request for review. The 
applicable regulation, 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), states that if a party 
that requested an administrative review withdraws the request within 90 
days of the publication of the notice of initiation of the requested 
review, the Secretary will rescind the review. Respondents and 
petitioners withdrew their requests for review within the 90-day 
deadline, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1). As a result, we have 
accepted the withdrawal requests. Therefore, we are rescinding this 
review of CAA and Mielar of the antidumping duty order on honey from 
Argentina covering the period May 11, 2001, through November 30, 2002.
    This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 751 
and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4) of the Department's 
regulations.

    Dated: May 6, 2003.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-11903 Filed 5-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P