[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45745-45746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15572]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-469]


Conditions of Competition for Certain Oranges and Lemons in the 
U.S. Fresh Market

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

[[Page 45746]]


ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: July 28, 2005.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of the request on July 5, 2005, from the 
House Committee on Ways and Means, the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-469 Conditions of Competition for Certain Oranges 
and Lemons in the U.S. Fresh Market, under section 332(g) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
    Background: As requested by the Committee, the Commission will 
conduct an investigation and provide a report on competitive conditions 
for certain oranges and lemons in the U.S. fresh market during the 
period 2000-2004. To the extent possible, the investigation will focus 
on navel oranges and lemons produced for the fresh market, with 
information provided on broader segments as appropriate. In its report 
the Commission will provide, to the extent possible, the following:
     An overview of the global market for oranges and lemons 
for the fresh market, including production, consumption, and trade;
     Profiles of the orange and lemon fresh-market industries 
in the United States and principal foreign producer countries, such as 
Australia, Argentina, Chile, China, Mexico, Spain, and South Africa;
     An analysis of U.S. trade in fresh-market oranges and 
lemons with major competitor countries, including a description of 
trade practices and measures; and,

     A comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. 
fresh-market orange and lemon industries with foreign competitors, in 
such areas as input costs of production (such as labor, land value, 
water, energy, packing costs, transportation to market, fertilizer and 
pesticides, taxes, and regulatory compliance), technology, government 
programs, exchange rates, and pricing and marketing regimes.
    As requested, the Commission will transmit its report to the 
Committee by July 5, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be 
obtained from Joanna Bonarriva, Project Leader (202-205-3312 or 
[email protected]) or Renee Johnson, Deputy Project Leader 
(202-205-3313 or [email protected]), or George Serletis, Deputy 
Project Leader (202-205-3315 or [email protected]), Office of 
Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. 
For information on legal aspects of this investigation, contact William 
Gearhart of the Office of General Counsel (202-205-3091 or 
[email protected]). Hearing impaired individuals are advised 
that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202-205-1810). General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(http://www.usitc.gov). The public record for these investigations may 
be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS-ONLINE) at http://edis.usitc.gov/hvwebex.
    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 
February 7, 2006. All persons shall 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., January 24, 2006. Any 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later 
than 5:15 p.m., January 26, 2006. The deadline for filing post-hearing 
briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., February 21, 2006. In the event 
that, as of the close of business on January 24, 2006, 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 (202-205-2000) after January 24, 
2006, 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 investigation. All submissions should be 
addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, and should be 
received no later than the close of business on February 21, 2005. All 
written submissions must conform with the provisions of section 201.8 
of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). 
Section 201.8 of the rules requires that a signed original (or a copy 
designated as an original) and fourteen (14) copies of each document be 
filed. In the event that confidential treatment of the document is 
requested, as least four (4) additional copies must be filed, in which 
the confidential information must be deleted (see the following 
paragraph for further information regarding confidential business 
information). The Commission's rules do not authorize filing 
submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means, except 
to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook for 
Electronic Filing Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf ).
    Any submissions that contain confidential business information must 
also conform with the requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the 
rules requires that the cover of the document and the individual pages 
be clearly marked as to whether they are the ``confidential'' or ``non-
confidential'' version, and that the confidential business information 
be clearly identified by means of brackets. 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. The Committee has asked that the report that the 
Commission transmit not contain any confidential business information. 
Any confidential business information received by the Commission in 
this investigation and used in preparing the report will not be 
published in a manner that would reveal the operations of the firm 
supplying the information.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Secretary at 
202-205-2000.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: August 2, 2005.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 05-15572 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P