WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Domestic Support and Export Credit Guarantees for Agricultural Products, 50130-50131 [E7-17233]

Download as PDF rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES 50130 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 168 / Thursday, August 30, 2007 / Notices 1:30 p.m.–3 p.m.: Semiannual Briefing by the Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs (FSME) (Open)— The FSME Office and the Division Directors will brief the Committee on recent and future activities of interest within their respective programs. 3 p.m.–5 p.m.: Miscellaneous (Open)—The Committee will discuss matters related to the conduct of ACNW&M activities and specific issues that were not completed during previous meetings, as time and availability of information permit. Discussions may include content of future letters and scope of future Committee Meetings. Procedures for the conduct of and participation in ACNW&M meetings were published in the Federal Register on October 12, 2006 (71 FR 60196). In accordance with those procedures, oral or written views may be presented by members of the public. 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Those wishing to use this service for observing ACNW&M meetings should contact Mr. Theron Brown, ACRS/ACNW&M Audio Visual Technician (301–415–8066), between 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., (ET), at least 10 days before the meeting to ensure the availability of this service. Individuals or organizations requesting this service will be responsible for telephone line charges and for providing the equipment and facilities that they use to establish the video teleconferencing link. The availability of video teleconferencing services is not guaranteed. Dated: August 24, 2007. Andrew L. Bates, Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E7–17173 Filed 8–29–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE 3640. For documents sent by fax, USTR requests that the submitter provide a confirmation copy to the electronic mail address listed above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Yocis, Assistant General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC, (202) 395–6150. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 127(b) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) (19 U.S.C. 3537(b)(1)) 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. In an effort to provide additional opportunity for comment, USTR is providing notice that consultations have been requested pursuant to the WTO Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (‘‘DSU’’). If such a panel is established pursuant to the DSU, such panel, which would hold its meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, would be expected to issue a report on its findings and recommendations approximately nine months after it is established. [Docket No. WTO/DS–365] Major Issues Raised by Brazil WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States—Domestic Support and Export Credit Guarantees for Agricultural Products In its request for consultations, Brazil alleges that the United States has provided support to domestic agricultural producers in excess of U.S. commitments with respect to the Aggregate Measurement of Support (‘‘AMS’’) as described in Article 6.2 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and the U.S. WTO schedule of commitments. According to Brazil, the United States has provided domestic support in excess of its AMS commitments in each of the years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005, in breach of Article 3.2 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. In addition, Brazil alleges that U.S. export credit guarantees under the GSM–102 program and the Supplier Credit Guarantee Program in respect of all agricultural products, whether or not included in the U.S. WTO schedule of agricultural export subsidy commitments, are export subsidies prohibited under Articles 3.1(a) and 3.2 of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and provided in violation of Articles 3.3, 8, 9.1 and 10.1 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. 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 Brazil has requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (‘‘WTO Agreement’’) regarding U.S. domestic support measures and export credit guarantees for agricultural products. That request may be found at https://www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS365/1. 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 consultations, comments should be submitted on or before September 14, 2007 to be assured of timely consideration by USTR. ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted (i) electronically, to FR0705@ustr.eop.gov, with ‘‘Agricultural Subsidies (Brazil) (DS365)’’ in the subject line, or (ii) by fax, to Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395– PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Public Comment: Requirements for Submissions Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning the issues raised in the dispute. Comments should be submitted (i) E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1 rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 168 / Thursday, August 30, 2007 / Notices electronically, to FR0705@ustr.eop.gov, with ‘‘Agricultural Subsidies (Brazil) (DS365)’’ in the subject line, or (ii) by fax, to Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395– 3640. 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. 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. 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 submitter believes that information or advice may qualify as such, the submitter— (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 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, 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 or in the event of an appeal from such a panel, the U.S. submissions, the submissions, or non-confidential summaries of submissions, received from other participants in the dispute; the report of VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:38 Aug 29, 2007 Jkt 211001 the panel; and, if applicable, the report of the Appellate Body. An appointment to review the public file (Docket WTO/ DS–365, Brazil Ag Subsidies Dispute) 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 Brinza, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Monitoring and Enforcement. [FR Doc. E7–17233 Filed 8–29–07; 8:45 am] 50131 The Office of the Secretary at (202) 551–5400. Dated: August 27, 2007. Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–17167 Filed 8–29–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–56317; File No. SR–CBOE– 2007–93] BILLING CODE 3190–W7–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act, Pub. L. 94–409, that the Securities and Exchange Commission will hold the following meeting during the week of August 27, 2007: A Closed Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 2 p.m. Commissioners, Counsel to the Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, and recording secretaries will attend the Closed Meeting. Certain staff members who have an interest in the matters may also be present. The General Counsel of the Commission, or his designee, has certified that, in his opinion, one or more of the exemptions set forth in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(3), (5), (7), (9)(B), and (10) and 17 CFR 200.402(a)(3), (5), (7), 9(ii) and (10), permit consideration of the scheduled matters at the Closed Meeting. Commissioner Nazareth, as duty officer, voted to consider the items listed for the closed meeting in closed session, and determined that no earlier notice thereof was possible. The subject matter of the Closed Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 30, 2007 will be: Formal orders of investigations; Institution and settlement of injunctive actions; Institution and settlement of administrative proceedings of an enforcement nature; Resolution of litigation claims; Other matters related to enforcement proceedings; and An adjudicatory matter. At times, changes in Commission priorities require alterations in the scheduling of meeting items. For further information and to ascertain what, if any, matters have been added, deleted or postponed, please contact: PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend CBOE’s Rules Related to Credit Default Basket Options August 24, 2007. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on August 21, 2007, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared substantially by the Exchange. The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as one constituting a stated policy, practice, or interpretation with respect to the meaning, administration, or enforcement of an existing rule under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(1) thereunder,4 which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend its rules pertaining to Credit Default Basket Options (‘‘CDBOs’’) in order to conform the Exchange’s Succession Event confirmation process for CDBOs with that currently codified for single-name Credit Default Options (‘‘CDOs’’).5 The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site (https://www.cboe.org/legal), at the 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1). 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56114 (July 20, 2007), 72 FR 41367 (July 27, 2007) (SR– CBOE–2007–81). 2 17 E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 168 (Thursday, August 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50130-50131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17233]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

[Docket No. WTO/DS-365]


WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States--
Domestic Support and Export Credit Guarantees for Agricultural Products

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 Brazil has requested consultations 
with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the 
World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') regarding U.S. domestic 
support measures and export credit guarantees for agricultural 
products. That request may be found at https://www.wto.org contained in 
a document designated as WT/DS365/1. 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 consultations, comments should be submitted on or before 
September 14, 2007 to be assured of timely consideration by USTR.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted (i) electronically, to 
FR0705@ustr.eop.gov, with ``Agricultural Subsidies (Brazil) (DS365)'' 
in the subject line, or (ii) by fax, to Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-
3640. For documents sent by fax, USTR requests that the submitter 
provide a confirmation copy to the electronic mail address listed 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Yocis, Assistant General 
Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC, (202) 395-6150.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 127(b) of the Uruguay Round 
Agreements Act (URAA) (19 U.S.C. 3537(b)(1)) 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. In an effort to provide additional opportunity for comment, USTR 
is providing notice that consultations have been requested pursuant to 
the WTO Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement 
of Disputes (``DSU''). If such a panel is established pursuant to the 
DSU, such panel, which would hold its meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, 
would be expected to issue a report on its findings and recommendations 
approximately nine months after it is established.

Major Issues Raised by Brazil

    In its request for consultations, Brazil alleges that the United 
States has provided support to domestic agricultural producers in 
excess of U.S. commitments with respect to the Aggregate Measurement of 
Support (``AMS'') as described in Article 6.2 of the WTO Agreement on 
Agriculture and the U.S. WTO schedule of commitments. According to 
Brazil, the United States has provided domestic support in excess of 
its AMS commitments in each of the years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 
and 2005, in breach of Article 3.2 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. 
In addition, Brazil alleges that U.S. export credit guarantees under 
the GSM-102 program and the Supplier Credit Guarantee Program in 
respect of all agricultural products, whether or not included in the 
U.S. WTO schedule of agricultural export subsidy commitments, are 
export subsidies prohibited under Articles 3.1(a) and 3.2 of the WTO 
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and provided in 
violation of Articles 3.3, 8, 9.1 and 10.1 of the WTO Agreement on 
Agriculture.

Public Comment: Requirements for Submissions

    Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning the issues raised in the dispute. Comments should be 
submitted (i)

[[Page 50131]]

electronically, to FR0705@ustr.eop.gov, with ``Agricultural Subsidies 
(Brazil) (DS365)'' in the subject line, or (ii) by fax, to Sandy 
McKinzy at (202) 395-3640. 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.
    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.
    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 submitter believes that information 
or advice may qualify as such, the submitter--
    (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 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 or in the event 
of an appeal from such a panel, the U.S. submissions, the submissions, 
or non-confidential summaries of submissions, received from other 
participants in the dispute; the report of the panel; and, if 
applicable, the report of the Appellate Body. An appointment to review 
the public file (Docket WTO/DS-365, Brazil Ag Subsidies Dispute) 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 Brinza,
Assistant United States Trade Representative for Monitoring and 
Enforcement.
[FR Doc. E7-17233 Filed 8-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W7-P
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