[Federal Register: April 18, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 75)]
[Notices]
[Page 19982-19983]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18ap01-84]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-429]
Wheat Trading Practices: Competitive Conditions Between U.S. and
Canadian Wheat
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission (ITC).
ACTION: Initiation of investigation and notice of hearing.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: April 12, 2001.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on April 2, 2001, from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), under section 332(g) of the
Tariff Act of 1930, the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-
429, Wheat Trading Practices: Competitive Conditions Between U.S. and
Canadian Wheat.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, contact John
Reeder (202-205-3319; reeder@usitc.gov), or Roger Corey (202-205-3327;
corey@usitc.gov), Agriculture and Forest Products Division, Office of
Industries. For information on legal aspects, contact William Gearhart
(202-205-3091; wgearhart@usitc.gov), Office of the General Counsel,
U.S. International Trade Commission. Hearing impaired persons can
obtain information on these studies 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: As requested by the USTR, the Commission will provide
the following information in its report to the extent possible:
A summary of a survey of U.S. Hard Red Spring wheat and
Durum wheat purchasers, including wheat millers, as to the conditions
of competition between U.S. and Canadian wheat during the 5 most recent
years, including such data as quantity and prices, technical
considerations in the purchase and sale of U.S. versus Canadian wheat,
and other relevant factors of competition;
A summary of a survey of U.S. Hard Red Spring wheat and
Durum wheat exporters as to conditions of competition in key foreign
markets in Latin America, the Philippines and other significant
markets, between U.S. and Canadian wheat during the 5 most recent
years, providing such data as quantity and prices, lost sales of U.S.
wheat versus Canadian wheat, technical considerations in the purchase
and sale of U.S. versus Canadian wheat, and other relevant factors of
competition; and
A summary of the current conditions of wheat trade between
the United States and Canada, including relevant information on prices,
exchange rates, transportation, marketing practices, U.S. and Canadian
farm policies, and other significant economic factors that might be
relevant.
The Commission plans to submit the confidential report to USTR by
September 24, 2001, as requested. The letter stated that the Office of
the USTR in October 2000 initiated an investigation under section 301
of the Trade Act of 1974 concerning the acts, policies, and practices
of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and the Government of Canada, and
that in the course of that investigation representatives of the U.S.
wheat industry alleged a number of potentially trade distorting
practices, including CWB standing offers to undersell irrespective of
market conditions in Canada, the United States and third markets, and a
CWB practice of regularly supplying protein levels that are higher than
the levels specified in the sales contracts.
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
June 6, 2001. 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
[[Page 19983]]
5:15 p.m., May 23, 2001. All prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies)
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., May 25, 2001; the deadline
for filing post-hearing briefs or statement is 5:15 p.m., June 18,
2001. In the event that, as of the close of business on May 24, 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 of the Commission
(202-205-1806) after May 24, 2001, to determine whether the hearing
will be held.
Written Submissions: Commercial or financial information that a
person desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be
submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked
``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. 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). All
submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the
requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules (19 CFR 201.6)
All written submissions, except for confidential business information,
will be made available for inspection by interested persons in the
Office of the Secretary to the Commission. To be assured of
consideration, written statements relating to the Commission's report
should be submitted at the earliest possible date and should be
received not later than June 18, 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 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.
List of Subjects: Wheat, imports, exports, wheat trading practices,
Canadian Wheat Board, Durum wheat, Hard Red Spring wheat.
Issued: April 13, 2001.
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-9617 Filed 4-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-M