The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the countervailing duty order on sugar from the European Union (Inv. No. 104- TAA-7 (Second Review) and the antidumping duty orders on sugar from Belgium, France, and Germany (Inv. Nos. AA1921-198-200 (2nd Review)).

As a result of today's votes, the Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of these orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the ITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (ITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission's notice of institution in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file with the Commission responses that discuss the likely effects of revoking the order under review and provide other pertinent information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the ITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioners Charlotte R. Lane and Daniel R. Pearson concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate, but that circumstances warranted full reviews. Commissioners Marcia E. Miller and Jennifer A. Hillman concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews.

A record of the Commission's votes on these matters is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The record of the Commission's votes is also posted on the ITC's Internet site at www.usitc.gov (under "Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews"/"Five-Year Reviews Listing"/"Sugar - EU (2nd Review)," "Sugar - Belgium (2nd Review)," "Sugar - France (2nd Review)," and "Sugar - Germany (2nd Review)").

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its reviews.