The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today announced procedures for submitting comments concerning the impact of last December's tsunami on the shrimp industries of India and Thailand.
The Commission has invited comments from the public, including but not limited to interested parties, on whether changed circumstances exist sufficient to warrant review of its January 6, 2005, affirmative injury determinations in its antidumping investigations Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from India and Thailand.
The Commission is seeking written comments. Information submitted to the Commission should address the impact of the tsunami on the ability of the shrimp industries in India and Thailand to produce and export shrimp to the United States. This information may include, but is not necessarily limited to, an analysis of the condition of shrimp hatcheries, ponds, fishing fleet, and processing and storage facilities post-tsunami; estimates of the share of the countries' historical production that has been impacted by the tsunami; estimates of the cost and time required to repair, restock, or rebuild any damaged or destroyed production, storage, or transportation infrastructure; and any data on current inventories of shrimp in these countries which may be exported to the United States.
Comments must be filed with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, 20436, and must be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 25, 2005 [NOTE CORRECTED DATE]. The Commission will make its determinations regarding institution of review investigations within 30 days of the close of the comment period. All submissions, except for business proprietary information, will be available for public inspection. Additional information concerning submissions may be found in the Commission's Federal Register notice dated February 3, 2005.
BACKGROUND:
On January 6, 2005, when the Commission conducted its vote in these investigations, it stated that it was concerned about the possible impact of the December 26, 2004, tsunami on the shrimp industries of India and Thailand. The tsunami occurred prior to the closing of the record in these investigations on December 27, 2004. At the time the record closed, however, factual information as to any impact of the tsunami on the ability of producers in India or Thailand to produce and export shrimp was not available. At the vote and in its views in these investigations, the Commission stated its intention to collect information as to whether the tsunami's impact on the affected countries' shrimp industries warrants the Commission self- initiating a changed circumstances review under 19 U.S.C. 1675(b). A decision as to whether changed circumstances reviews will be instituted as to India and/or Thailand will be made following the collection and analysis of information submitted.