[Federal Register: August 12, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 155)] [Notices] [Page 43193-43194] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12au98-77] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation 332-396] Economic Trends and Barriers to Trade in Products Covered by the WTO Agreement on Agriculture AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EFFECTIVE DATE: August 3, 1998. SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on July 20, 1998, from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-396, Economic Trends and Barriers to Trade in Products Covered by the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Industry-specific information may be obtained from Cathy Jabara (202-205-3309) or Roger Corey (202-205-3327), Office of Industries, U.S. International Trade [[Page 43194]] Commission, Washington, DC 20436. For information on the legal aspects of this investigation contact William Gearhart of the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). News media should contact Peg O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810. Background The USTR has requested that the Commission provide a report containing an informational and analytical resource base to assist the Administration in the upcoming WTO negotiations on agriculture trade to begin in late 1999. As requested by USTR, in preparing its report, the Commission will examine the following sectors (including both the basic commodity and its processed products, as appropriate): grains; oilseeds (including peanuts); dairy; animals and animal products, other than dairy; sugar and other sweeteners; wine; cotton; fruits and vegetables (and tree nuts); and other products as covered in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. The examination will include: (1) Recent trends in trade, production, and other relevant economic variables in these sectors; (2) Barriers and/or distortions in major countries and product markets affecting this trade; and (3) Methodologies for assessment of the effects of changes in various trade rules in each of these sectors upon the trade and economic interests of the United States. The report will also include summaries of the information developed, both with respect to sector trends and trade barriers. As requested, the Commission plans to transmit its report to USTR by July 20, 1999, USTR has indicated portions of the report will be classified as ``confidential'' and will also be regarded as an inter- agency memorandum that will contain predecisional advice and be subject to the deliberative process privilege. Preliminary Written Comments (1) In order to assist the Commission in identifying the barriers and/or distortions referred to above, the Commission requests that interested parties provide preliminary written comments on such barriers and/or distortions by November 30, 1998. (2) All preliminary written comments should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. (3) Interested parties are also encouraged to provide further information at the public hearing and in prehearing and posthearing briefs/statements. 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 March 16, 1999. All persons will 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., March 2, 1999. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., March 4, 1999; the deadline for filing posthearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., March 31, 1999. In the event that, as of the close of business on March 2, 1999, 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 to the Commission (202-205-1816) after March 2, 1999 to determine whether the hearing will be held. Written Submissions In lieu of, or in addition to, participating in the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial information that a submitter 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 submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). 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. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 31, 1999. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. 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. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). List of Subjects WTO, agricultural trade, production, barriers, distortions, grains, oilseeds, dairy, animals and animal products, sugar and other sweeteners, wine, cotton, fruits and vegetables, Agreement on Agriculture, and methodologies. Issued: August 5, 1998. By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 98-21619 Filed 8-11-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P