WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Continued Suspension of Obligations in the EC-Hormones Dispute, 8655-8656 [05-3368]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 22, 2005 / Notices
Article 21.5 Proceeding
Pursuant to the rules of the DSU, the
United States and Canada agreed that
the United States would have until
December 17, 2004, to implement the
recommendations and rulings of the
DSB. To implement these
recommendations and rulings,
Commerce requested information from
Canadian producers and from the
Government of Canada and conducted a
pass-through analysis, issuing a
determination on December 6, 2004,
that revised the subsidy rate for the
investigation from 18.79% to 18.62%.
On December 30, 2004, Canada alleged
that the United States had not properly
implemented the recommendations and
rulings and requested the establishment
of a dispute settlement panel under
Article 21.5 of the DSU to review this
implementation. The panel was
established on January 14, 2005.
In its request under Article 21.5,
Canada alleges that Commerce failed to
implement the recommendations and
rulings of the DSB by incorrectly (1)
Limiting the pass-through analysis to
only certain categories of sales; (2)
determining that certain sales were not
at arm’s length and that a pass-through
occurred; (3) applying the results of the
pass-through analysis to a cash deposit
rate ‘‘invalidated as a result of judicial
review proceedings’’ and (4) not
conducting a pass-through analysis in
the first administrative review of the
countervailing duty order that resulted
from the countervailing duty
investigation at issue.
The specific measures identified by
Canada as inconsistent with U.S. WTO
obligations under the SCM Agreement
and the GATT 1994 are: (1) Notice of
Implementation Under Section 129 of
the Uruguay Round Agreements Act;
Countervailing Measures Concerning
Certain Softwood Lumber Products from
Canada, 69 FR 75,305 (Dep’t. Commerce
December 16, 2004) and Section 129
Determination: Final Countervailing
Duty Determination, Certain Softwood
Lumber from Canada (December 6,
2004); (2) Notice of Amended Final
Affirmative Countervailing Duty
Determination and Notice of
Countervailing Duty Order: Certain
Softwood Lumber Products From
Canada, 67 FR 36,070 (Dep’t Commerce
May 22, 2002); and (3) Notice of Final
Results of Countervailing Duty
Administrative Review and Rescission
of Certain Company-Specific Reviews:
Certain Softwood Lumber Products
From Canada, 69 FR 75,917 (Dep’t
Commerce December 20, 2004) and
Issues and Decision Memorandum:
Final Results of Administrative Review:
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Certain Softwood Lumber Products
From Canada, December 13, 2004.
The European Communities has
indicated its interest to participate in
the dispute as a third party.
Public Comment: Requirements for
Submissions
Interested persons are invited to
submit written comments concerning
the issues raised in this dispute. Persons
submitting comments may either send
one copy by fax to Sandy McKinzy at
(202) 395–3640, or transmit a copy
electronically to FR0438@ustr.gov, Attn:
‘‘Canada Lumber Final CVD (DS257)’’ in
the subject line. For documents sent by
fax, USTR requests that the submitter
provide a confirmation copy to the
electronic mail address listed above.
USTR encourages the submission of
documents in Adobe PDF format, as
attachments to an electronic mail.
Interested persons who make
submissions by electronic mail should
not provide separate cover letters;
information that might appear in a cover
letter should be included in the
submission itself. Similarly, to the
extent possible, any attachments to the
submission should be included in the
same file as the submission itself, and
not as separate files.
A person requesting that information
contained in a comment submitted by
that person be treated as confidential
business information must certify that
such information is business
confidential and would not customarily
be released to the public by the
submitter. Confidential business
information must be clearly designated
as such and the submission must be
marked ‘‘Business Confidential’’ at the
top and bottom of the cover page and
each succeeding page of the submission.
Information or advice contained in a
comment submitted, other than business
confidential information, may be
determined by USTR to be confidential
in accordance with section 135(g)(2) of
the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2155(g)(2)). If the submitting person
believes that information or advice may
qualify as such, the submitting person—
(1) Must clearly so designate the
information or advice;
(2) Must clearly mark the material as
‘‘Submitted in Confidence’’ at the top
and bottom of each page of the cover
page and each succeeding page; and
(3) Is encouraged to provide a nonconfidential summary of the
information or advice.
Pursuant to section 127(e) of the
URAA (19 U.S.C. 3537(e)), USTR will
maintain a file on this dispute
settlement proceeding, accessible to the
public, in the USTR Reading Room,
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
8655
which is located at 1724 F Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20508. The public file
will include non-confidential comments
received by USTR from the public with
respect to the dispute; if a dispute
settlement panel is convened, the U.S.
submissions to that panel, the
submissions, or non-confidential
summaries of submissions, to the panel
received from other participants in the
dispute, as well as the report of the
panel; and, if applicable, the report of
the Appellate Body. An appointment to
review the public file (Docket No.WT/
DS–257, Canada Lumber Final CVD)
may be made by calling the USTR
Reading Room at (202) 395–6186. The
USTR Reading Room is open to the
public from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1
p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Daniel E. Brinza,
Assistant United States Trade Representative
for Monitoring and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 05–3236 Filed 2–18–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190–W5–P
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
[Docket No. WTO/DS–320]
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding
Regarding United States—Continued
Suspension of Obligations in the EC—
Hormones Dispute
Office of the United States
Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Office of the United
States Trade Representative (‘‘USTR’’) is
providing notice that on January 13,
2005, the United States received from
the European Communities (‘‘EC’’) a
request for the establishment of a panel
under the Marrakesh Agreement
Establishing the World Trade
Organization (‘‘WTO Agreement’’)
regarding the U.S. suspension of
obligations to the EC in the WTO
dispute European Communities—
Measures Concerning Meat and Meat
Products (Hormones). The EC asserts
that it has put into force new legislation
that brings it into conformity with the
recommendations and rulings of the
Dispute Settlement Body (‘‘DSB’’) and
its obligations under the WTO
Agreement on the Application of
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
(‘‘SPS Agreement’’). The EC therefore
challenges the continued U.S.
suspension of obligations and
imposition of import duties in excess of
bound rates on imports from the EC, the
alleged U.S. ‘‘unilateral determination’’
that the new EC legislation is in
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8656
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 22, 2005 / Notices
violation of the EC’s WTO obligations,
and the alleged U.S. failure to have
recourse to WTO dispute settlement
proceedings. In particular, the EC
asserts that by failing to discontinue
suspension of obligations to the EC, the
United States has breached its
obligations under Articles I and II of the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
1994 (‘‘GATT 1994’’) and Articles 3.7,
21.5, 22.8 and 23.2(a) and (c) of the
Understanding on Rules and Procedures
Governing the Settlement of Disputes
(‘‘DSU’’). USTR invites written
comments from the public concerning
the issues raised in this dispute.
DATES: Although USTR will accept any
comments received during the course of
the dispute settlement proceedings,
comments should be submitted on or
before April 1 to be assured of timely
consideration by USTR.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be
submitted (i) electronically, to
FR0519@ustr.eop.gov, with ‘‘EC—
Hormones (DS320)’’ in the subject line,
or (ii) by fax, to Sandy McKinzy at (202)
395–3640, with a confirmation copy
sent electronically to the address above,
in accordance with the requirements for
submission set out below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay
T. Taylor, Assistant General Counsel,
Office of the United States Trade
Representative, (202) 395–9583.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
127(b) of the Uruguay Round
Agreements Act (‘‘URAA’’) (19 U.S.C.
3537(b)) requires that notice and
opportunity for comment be provided
after the United States submits or
receives a request for the establishment
of a WTO dispute settlement panel.
Consistent with this obligation, USTR is
providing notice that the establishment
of a WTO dispute settlement panel has
been requested pursuant to the DSU.
The EC’s request for the establishment
of a panel may found at www.wto.org
contained in a document designated as
WT/DS320/6. Once a panel is
established, such panel, which would
hold its meetings in Geneva,
Switzerland, would be expected to issue
a report on its findings and
recommendations within six to nine
months after it is established.
Major Issues Raised by the EC
With respect to the claims of WTOinconsistency, the EC’s panel request
refers to the following:
• the U.S. continued suspension of
obligations and imposition of import
duties in excess of bound rates on
imports from the EC;
• the alleged U.S. ‘‘unilateral
determination’’ that new EC legislation
VerDate jul<14>2003
19:10 Feb 18, 2005
Jkt 205001
is in violation of obligations under the
WTO Agreement; and
• the alleged failure of the United
States to seek recourse to Article 21.5 of
the DSU and to have recourse to, and
abide by, the rules and procedures of
the DSU.
Requirements for Submissions
Interested persons are invited to
submit written comments concerning
the issues raised in this dispute. Persons
submitting comments may either send
one copy by fax to Sandy McKinzy at
(202) 395–3640, or transmit a copy
electronically to FR0519@ustr.eop.gov,
with ‘‘EC—Hormones (DS320)’’ in the
subject line. For documents sent by fax,
USTR requests that the submitter
provide a confirmation copy
electronically. USTR encourages the
submission of documents in Adobe PDF
format, as attachments to an electronic
mail. Interested persons who make
submissions by electronic mail should
not provide separate cover letters;
information that might appear in a cover
letter should be included in the
submission itself. Similarly, to the
extent possible, any attachments to the
submission should be included in the
same file as the submission itself, and
not as separate files.
Comments must be in English. A
person requesting that information
contained in a comment submitted by
that person be treated as confidential
business information must certify that
such information is business
confidential and would not customarily
be released to the public by the
submitter. Confidential business
information must be clearly designated
as such and the submission must be
marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’
at the top and bottom of the cover page
and each succeeding page of the
submission.
Information or advice contained in a
comment submitted, other than business
confidential information, may be
determined by USTR to be confidential
in accordance with section 135(g)(2) of
the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2155(g)(2)). If the submitting person
believes that information or advice may
qualify as such, the submitting person—
(1) Must clearly so designate the
information or advice;
(2) Must clearly mark the material as
‘‘SUBMITTED IN CONFIDENCE’’ at the
top and bottom of each page of the cover
page and each succeeding page; and
(3) Is encouraged to provide a nonconfidential summary of the
information or advice.
Pursuant to section 127(e) of the
URAA (19 U.S.C. 3537(e)), USTR will
maintain a file on this dispute
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
settlement proceeding, accessible to the
public, in the USTR Reading Room,
which is located at 1724 F Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20508. The public file
will include non-confidential comments
received by USTR from the public with
respect to the dispute; if a dispute
settlement panel is convened, the U.S.
submissions to that panel, the
submissions, or non-confidential
summaries of submissions, to the panel
received from other participants in the
dispute, as well as the report of the
panel; and, if applicable, the report of
the Appellate Body. An appointment to
review the public file (Docket No. WT/
DS320, EC—Hormones), may be made
by calling the USTR Reading Room at
(202) 395–6186. The USTR Reading
Room is open to the public from 9:30
a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
Daniel E. Brinza,
Assistant United States Trade Representative
for Monitoring and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 05–3368 Filed 2–18–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190–W5–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
Aviation Proceedings, Agreements
Filed the Week Ending February 4,
2005
The following Agreements were filed
with the Department of Transportation
under the provisions of 49 U.S.C.
Sections 412 and 414. Answers may be
filed within 21 days after the filing of
the application.
Docket Number: OST–2005–20315.
Date Filed: February 3, 2005.
Parties: Members of the International
Air Transport Association.
Subject: Mail Vote 436—PTC2 EUR
0597, PTC2 EUR–AFR 0217 dated 4
February 2005—Resolution 010k—
Special Passenger Amending Resolution
from Algeria Intended effective date: 15
February 2005.
Docket Number: OST–2005–20327.
Date Filed: February 4, 2005.
Parties: Members of the International
Air Transport Association.
Subject: Memorandum PTC COMP
1211 dated 4 February 2005 Resolution
011a—Mileage Manual Non-TC
Member/Non-IATA Carrier Sectors
(Amending).
Renee V. Wright,
Acting Program Manager, Alternate Federal
Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. 05–3372 Filed 2–18–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–62–M
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8655-8656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3368]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
[Docket No. WTO/DS-320]
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States--
Continued Suspension of Obligations in the EC--Hormones Dispute
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative
(``USTR'') is providing notice that on January 13, 2005, the United
States received from the European Communities (``EC'') a request for
the establishment of a panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing
the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') regarding the U.S.
suspension of obligations to the EC in the WTO dispute European
Communities--Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones). The
EC asserts that it has put into force new legislation that brings it
into conformity with the recommendations and rulings of the Dispute
Settlement Body (``DSB'') and its obligations under the WTO Agreement
on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (``SPS
Agreement''). The EC therefore challenges the continued U.S. suspension
of obligations and imposition of import duties in excess of bound rates
on imports from the EC, the alleged U.S. ``unilateral determination''
that the new EC legislation is in
[[Page 8656]]
violation of the EC's WTO obligations, and the alleged U.S. failure to
have recourse to WTO dispute settlement proceedings. In particular, the
EC asserts that by failing to discontinue suspension of obligations to
the EC, the United States has breached its obligations under Articles I
and II of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (``GATT
1994'') and Articles 3.7, 21.5, 22.8 and 23.2(a) and (c) of the
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of
Disputes (``DSU''). USTR invites written comments from the public
concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
DATES: Although USTR will accept any comments received during the
course of the dispute settlement proceedings, comments should be
submitted on or before April 1 to be assured of timely consideration by
USTR.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted (i) electronically, to
FR0519@ustr.eop.gov, with ``EC--Hormones (DS320)'' in the subject line,
or (ii) by fax, to Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-3640, with a confirmation
copy sent electronically to the address above, in accordance with the
requirements for submission set out below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay T. Taylor, Assistant General
Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative, (202) 395-
9583.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 127(b) of the Uruguay Round
Agreements Act (``URAA'') (19 U.S.C. 3537(b)) requires that notice and
opportunity for comment be provided after the United States submits or
receives a request for the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement
panel. Consistent with this obligation, USTR is providing notice that
the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel has been requested
pursuant to the DSU. The EC's request for the establishment of a panel
may found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/
DS320/6. Once a panel is established, such panel, which would hold its
meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, would be expected to issue a report on
its findings and recommendations within six to nine months after it is
established.
Major Issues Raised by the EC
With respect to the claims of WTO-inconsistency, the EC's panel
request refers to the following:
the U.S. continued suspension of obligations and
imposition of import duties in excess of bound rates on imports from
the EC;
the alleged U.S. ``unilateral determination'' that new EC
legislation is in violation of obligations under the WTO Agreement; and
the alleged failure of the United States to seek recourse
to Article 21.5 of the DSU and to have recourse to, and abide by, the
rules and procedures of the DSU.
Requirements for Submissions
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning the issues raised in this dispute. Persons submitting
comments may either send one copy by fax to Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-
3640, or transmit a copy electronically to FR0519@ustr.eop.gov, with
``EC--Hormones (DS320)'' in the subject line. For documents sent by
fax, USTR requests that the submitter provide a confirmation copy
electronically. USTR encourages the submission of documents in Adobe
PDF format, as attachments to an electronic mail. Interested persons
who make submissions by electronic mail should not provide separate
cover letters; information that might appear in a cover letter should
be included in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent
possible, any attachments to the submission should be included in the
same file as the submission itself, and not as separate files.
Comments must be in English. A person requesting that information
contained in a comment submitted by that person be treated as
confidential business information must certify that such information is
business confidential and would not customarily be released to the
public by the submitter. Confidential business information must be
clearly designated as such and the submission must be marked ``BUSINESS
CONFIDENTIAL'' at the top and bottom of the cover page and each
succeeding page of the submission.
Information or advice contained in a comment submitted, other than
business confidential information, may be determined by USTR to be
confidential in accordance with section 135(g)(2) of the Trade Act of
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(g)(2)). If the submitting person believes that
information or advice may qualify as such, the submitting person--
(1) Must clearly so designate the information or advice;
(2) Must clearly mark the material as ``SUBMITTED IN CONFIDENCE''
at the top and bottom of each page of the cover page and each
succeeding page; and
(3) Is encouraged to provide a non-confidential summary of the
information or advice.
Pursuant to section 127(e) of the URAA (19 U.S.C. 3537(e)), USTR
will maintain a file on this dispute settlement proceeding, accessible
to the public, in the USTR Reading Room, which is located at 1724 F
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508. The public file will include non-
confidential comments received by USTR from the public with respect to
the dispute; if a dispute settlement panel is convened, the U.S.
submissions to that panel, the submissions, or non-confidential
summaries of submissions, to the panel received from other participants
in the dispute, as well as the report of the panel; and, if applicable,
the report of the Appellate Body. An appointment to review the public
file (Docket No. WT/DS320, EC--Hormones), may be made by calling the
USTR Reading Room at (202) 395-6186. The USTR Reading Room is open to
the public from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
Daniel E. Brinza,
Assistant United States Trade Representative for Monitoring and
Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 05-3368 Filed 2-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W5-P
