[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52386-52387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22432]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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partially rescinded for certain companies because the requesting 
parties withdrew their requests.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 3, 2003

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis Hall, Donna Kinsella or David 
Cordell, Enforcement Group III, Office 8, Import Administration, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 
Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 7866, Washington, D.C. 
20230; telephone (202) 482-1398, (202) 482-0194, (202) 482-0408, 
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 U.S. Customs Service 
(Customs) purposes, the Department's written description of the 
merchandise under this order is dispositive.

BACKGROUND:

    On December 31, 2002, the American Honey Producers Association and 
the Sioux Honey Association ( collectively ``petitioners'') 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. 
The petitioners requested the Department conduct an administrative 
review of entries of subject merchandise made by 21 Argentine 
producers/exporters. In addition, the Department received requests for 
reviews from 9 Argentine exporters. See Initiation of Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation 
in Part, 68 FR 3009 (January 22, 2003).
    The Department initiated the review for all companies. On January 
17, 2003, petitioners requested a withdrawal of request for review of 
14 companies and the Department granted this request in Honey from 
Argentina: Notice of Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review, 68 FR 13895 (March 21, 2003).
    On August 13, 2003, two Argentine exporters, Radix S.r.L. 
(``Radix'') and Compania Europeo Americana S.A. (``CEASA''), submitted 
letters of withdrawal of request for review. On the same date, 
petitioners also submitted a letter of withdrawal of a request for 
review with respect to Radix and CEASA.
    Ordinarily, parties have 90 days from the publication of the notice 
of initiation of review in which to withdraw a request for review. See 
19 CFR 351.213(d)(1). We received

[[Page 52387]]

petitioners' and respondents' withdrawal requests after the 90-day 
period had elapsed. However, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), 
the Secretary may extend this time limit if the Secretary decides it is 
reasonable to do so. In this case, the review has not progressed 
substantially, nor has the Department conducted verification of the 
questionnaire responses by Radix or CEASA. Furthermore, the Department 
has not issued its preliminary results with respect to these 2 
companies. As a result, there would be no undue burden on the parties 
or the Department if the Department were to rescind the review on the 
basis of these requests. Therefore, the Department has determined that 
it would be reasonable to grant the withdrawal at this time. 
Additionally, we conclude that the withdrawal does not constitute an 
``abuse'' of our procedures. See Antidumping Duties: Countervailing 
Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27317 (May 19, 1997). As such, with 
respect to Radix and CEASA, the Department is rescinding the reviews 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(a)(1) and 777(i)(l) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4) of the 
Department's regulations.

    Dated: August 26, 2003.
James J. Jochum,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-22432 Filed 9-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S