U.S.-Israel Agricultural Trade: Probable Economic Effect on U.S. and Israeli Agricultural Industries of Conducting Such Trade in a Free Trade Environment, 67756-67757 [E7-23224]
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67756
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 230 / Friday, November 30, 2007 / Notices
Dated: November 20, 2007.
Allen Thomas,
Attorney Advisor.
[FR Doc. E7–23029 Filed 11–29–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7010–01–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation Nos. 731–TA–1131–1134
(Preliminary)]
Polyethylene Terephthalate Film,
Sheet, and Strip From Brazil, China,
Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
Determinations
On the basis of the record 1 developed
in the subject investigations, the United
States International Trade Commission
(Commission) determines, pursuant to
section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930
(19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there
is a reasonable indication that an
industry in the United States is
materially injured by reason of imports
from Brazil, China, Thailand, and the
United Arab Emirates of polyethylene
terephthalate film, sheet, and strip
provided for in subheading 3920.62.00
of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States, that are alleged to be
sold in the United States at less than fair
value (LTFV).
Commencement of Final Phase
Investigations
Pursuant to section 207.18 of the
Commission’s rules, the Commission
also gives notice of the commencement
of the final phase of its investigations.
The Commission will issue a final phase
notice of scheduling, which will be
published in the Federal Register as
provided in section 207.21 of the
Commission’s rules, upon notice from
the Department of Commerce
(Commerce) of affirmative preliminary
determinations in the investigations
under section 733(b) of the Act, or, if the
preliminary determinations are
negative, upon notice of affirmative
final determinations in the
investigations under section 735(a) of
the Act. Parties that filed entries of
appearance in the preliminary phase of
the investigations need not enter a
separate appearance for the final phase
of the investigations. Industrial users,
and, if the merchandise under
investigation is sold at the retail level,
representative consumer organizations
have the right to appear as parties in
Commission antidumping and
countervailing duty investigations. The
Secretary will prepare a public service
list containing the names and addresses
of all persons, or their representatives,
who are parties to the investigations.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
Background
obtained by request at the above
address. Electronic copies may also be
obtained from the USIBWC Home Page
at https://www.ibwc.state.gov.
AGENCY:
On September 28, 2007, a petition
was filed with the Commission and
Commerce by DuPont Teijin Films,
Hopewell, VA; Mitsubishi Polyester
Film of America, Greer, SC; SKC
America, Inc., Covington, GA; and
Toray Plastics (America), Inc., North
Kingston, RI, alleging that an industry in
the United States is materially injured
and threatened with further material
injury by reason of LTFV imports of
polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet,
and strip from Brazil, China, Thailand,
and the United Arab Emirates.
Accordingly, effective September 28,
2007, the Commission instituted
antidumping duty investigation Nos.
731–TA–1131–1134 (Preliminary).
Notice of the institution of the
Commission’s investigations and of a
public conference to be held in
connection therewith was given by
posting copies of the notice in the Office
of the Secretary, U.S. International
Trade Commission, Washington, DC,
and by publishing the notice in the
Federal Register of October 5, 2007 (72
FR 57068). The conference was held in
Washington, DC, on October 19, 2007,
and all persons who requested the
opportunity were permitted to appear in
person or by counsel.
The Commission transmitted its
determinations in these investigations to
the Secretary of Commerce on
November 13, 2007. The views of the
Commission are contained in USITC
Publication 3962 (November 2007),
entitled Polyethylene Terephthalate
Film, Sheet, and Strip from Brazil,
China, Thailand, and the United Arab
Emirates: Investigation Nos. 731–TA–
1131–1134 (Preliminary).
By order of the Commission.
Issued: November 21, 2007.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7–23223 Filed 11–29–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
1 The record is defined in § 207.2(f) of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19
CFR § 207.2(f)).
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16:27 Nov 29, 2007
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[Inv. No. 332–494]
U.S.-Israel Agricultural Trade: Probable
Economic Effect on U.S. and Israeli
Agricultural Industries of Conducting
Such Trade in a Free Trade
Environment
United States International
Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and
scheduling of hearing.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on October
23, 2007, of a request from the United
States Trade Representative (USTR)
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the
Commission instituted investigation No.
332–494, U.S.-Israel Agricultural Trade:
Probable Economic Effect on U.S. and
Israeli Agricultural Industries of
Conducting Such Trade in a Free Trade
Environment.
DATES: December 21, 2007: Deadline for
filing requests to appear at public
hearing.
January 3, 2008: Deadline for filing
pre-hearing briefs and statements.
January 10, 2008: Public hearing.
January 16, 2008: Deadline for filing
post-hearing briefs and statements.
February 1, 2008: Deadline for all
other submissions.
April 23, 2008: Transmittal of
Commission report to USTR.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices,
including the Commission’s hearing
rooms, are located in the United States
International Trade Commission
Building, 500 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC. All written
submissions, including requests to
appear at the hearing, should be
addressed to the Secretary, United
States International Trade Commission,
500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC
20436.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Project leader Mark Simone (202–205–
2049 or mark.simone@usitc.gov) or
deputy project leader Erick Oh (202–
205–3033 or erick.oh@usitc.gov) for
information specific to this
investigation. For information on the
legal aspects of the investigation,
contact William Gearhart of the
Commission’s Office of the General
Counsel at 202–205–3091 or
william.gearhart@usitc.gov. The media
should contact Margaret O’Laughlin,
Office of External Relations at 202–205–
1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov.
Hearing impaired individuals are
advised that information on this matter
can be obtained by contacting the TDD
E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM
30NON1
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 230 / Friday, November 30, 2007 / Notices
terminal at 202–205–1810. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
internet server (https://www.usitc.gov).
The public record for this investigation
may be viewed on the Commission’s
electronic docket (EDIS–ONLINE) at
https://usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm.
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.
Background: According to the USTR’s
letter, the Governments of the United
States and Israel are scheduled to
initiate discussion in January 2008 of
the United States-Israel Agreement on
Trade in Agricultural Products (ATAP)
to seek ways to improve the ATAP prior
to its expiration on December 31, 2008.
The ATAP is an adjunct to the
Agreement on the Establishment of a
Free Trade Area between the
Government of Israel and the
Government of the United States of
America (FTA), which was
implemented in 1985 and applies to
trade in all products between the two
countries. According to the letter, the
United States and Israel have held
differing views as to the meaning of
certain rights and obligations related to
agricultural products under the FTA.
The ATAP was intended to address
issues that have arisen based on these
differing interpretations. Following the
implementation of the 1985 FTA, most
Israeli agricultural products exported to
the United States had duty-free access to
the U.S. market. The letter indicates that
U.S. exporters of agricultural products,
however, have continued to face
significant market access barriers in
Israel despite the ATAP; the letter states
that an objective of the proposed
negotiations on the ATAP is to address
these barriers.
To assist USTR in preparing for these
negotiations, the USTR requested, under
authority delegated by the President and
pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff
Act of 1930, that the Commission
initiate an investigation and prepare a
report that provides advice as to the
probable economic effect on both the
U.S. and Israeli agricultural industries,
respectively, if U.S.-Israel agricultural
trade was conducted in a free trade
environment. The USTR asked that the
Commission, to the extent practicable,
include the following in its report:
• Advice at the industry level that
focuses on the main products traded or
likely to be traded between the United
States and Israel. The USTR asked that
the Commission, in preparing its advice,
assume that the new ATAP would
include elimination of tariffs and tariff-
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:27 Nov 29, 2007
Jkt 214001
rate quotas (TRQs) on all agricultural
products so as to calculate its maximum
potential impact. The USTR asked that
the Commission seek to measure these
effects, to the extent data permit,
through the use of partial equilibrium
analysis or other quantitative methods.
• A list of the principal existing
Israeli non-tariff barriers to agricultural
trade, whether or not justified (such as
technical barriers to trade, sanitary and
phytosanitary measures, and TRQ
administration) and information on TRQ
fill rates, compiled from publicly
available sources, and an analysis of
their impact on U.S. agricultural exports
to Israel.
• A description of Israeli agricultural
trade, covering the major products and
trading partners during 2002–2006,
focusing on the countries and regions
that have free trade agreements in effect
with Israel.
• A description of the Israeli
agricultural sector compiled from
publicly available sources, including, to
the extent possible, regional production
and employment patterns, and principal
factors affecting the competitiveness of
the Israeli agricultural sector in
domestic and international markets.
As requested by the USTR, the
Commission expects to deliver its report
by April 23, 2008. The USTR indicated
that portions of the report will be
classified as confidential.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in
connection with this 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 January 10, 2008. All persons
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, no later than 5:15 p.m.,
December 21, 2007, in accordance with
the requirements in the ‘‘Written
Submissions’’ section below. In the
event that, as of the close of business on
December 21, 2007, 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 nonparticipant may call the
Secretary to the Commission (202–205–
2000) after December 21, 2007, for
information concerning 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 and briefs
concerning this investigation. All
written submissions, including requests
to appear at the hearing, statements, and
briefs, should be addressed to the
Secretary. Pre-hearing briefs and
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
67757
statements should be filed not later than
5:15 p.m., January 3, 2008; and posthearing briefs and statements should be
filed not later than 5:15 p.m., January
16, 2008. All other submissions should
be filed not later than 5:15 p.m.,
February 1, 2008. 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). Section 201.8
requires that a signed original (or a copy
so designated) and fourteen (14) copies
of each document be filed. In the event
that confidential treatment of a
document is requested, at least four (4)
additional copies must be filed, in
which the confidential information
must be deleted (see the following
paragraph for further information
regarding confidential business
information). The Commission’s rules
authorize filing submissions with the
Secretary by facsimile or electronic
means only to the extent permitted by
section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook
for Electronic Filing Procedures, https://
www.usitc.gov/secretary/
fed_reg_notices/rules/documents/
handbook_on_electronic_filing.pdf).
Persons with questions regarding
electronic filing should contact the
Secretary (202–205–2000). Any
submissions that contain confidential
business information must also conform
with the requirements of section 201.6
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section
201.6 of the rules requires that the cover
of the document and the individual
pages be clearly marked as to whether
they are the ‘‘confidential’’ or ‘‘nonconfidential’’ version, and that the
confidential business information be
clearly identified by means of brackets.
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.
The Commission may include some or
all of the confidential business
information submitted in the course of
this investigation in the report it sends
to the USTR. If the Commission
publishes a public version of the report,
the published version will not include
portions of the report that the USTR has
classified as confidential and will also
not include any confidential business
information.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: November 21, 2007.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7–23224 Filed 11–29–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 230 (Friday, November 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67756-67757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23224]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Inv. No. 332-494]
U.S.-Israel Agricultural Trade: Probable Economic Effect on U.S.
and Israeli Agricultural Industries of Conducting Such Trade in a Free
Trade Environment
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Following receipt on October 23, 2007, of a request from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR) under section 332(g) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-494, U.S.-Israel Agricultural Trade: Probable
Economic Effect on U.S. and Israeli Agricultural Industries of
Conducting Such Trade in a Free Trade Environment.
DATES: December 21, 2007: Deadline for filing requests to appear at
public hearing.
January 3, 2008: Deadline for filing pre-hearing briefs and
statements.
January 10, 2008: Public hearing.
January 16, 2008: Deadline for filing post-hearing briefs and
statements.
February 1, 2008: Deadline for all other submissions.
April 23, 2008: Transmittal of Commission report to USTR.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing
rooms, are located in the United States International Trade Commission
Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC. All written submissions,
including requests to appear at the hearing, should be addressed to the
Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20436.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project leader Mark Simone (202-205-
2049 or mark.simone@usitc.gov) or deputy project leader Erick Oh (202-
205-3033 or erick.oh@usitc.gov) for information specific to this
investigation. For information on the legal aspects of the
investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Commission's Office of
the General Counsel at 202-205-3091 or william.gearhart@usitc.gov. The
media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations
at 202-205-1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov. Hearing impaired
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained
by contacting the TDD
[[Page 67757]]
terminal at 202-205-1810. General information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its internet server (https://
www.usitc.gov). The public record for this investigation may be viewed
on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS-ONLINE) at https://
usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm. 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.
Background: According to the USTR's letter, the Governments of the
United States and Israel are scheduled to initiate discussion in
January 2008 of the United States-Israel Agreement on Trade in
Agricultural Products (ATAP) to seek ways to improve the ATAP prior to
its expiration on December 31, 2008. The ATAP is an adjunct to the
Agreement on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area between the
Government of Israel and the Government of the United States of America
(FTA), which was implemented in 1985 and applies to trade in all
products between the two countries. According to the letter, the United
States and Israel have held differing views as to the meaning of
certain rights and obligations related to agricultural products under
the FTA. The ATAP was intended to address issues that have arisen based
on these differing interpretations. Following the implementation of the
1985 FTA, most Israeli agricultural products exported to the United
States had duty-free access to the U.S. market. The letter indicates
that U.S. exporters of agricultural products, however, have continued
to face significant market access barriers in Israel despite the ATAP;
the letter states that an objective of the proposed negotiations on the
ATAP is to address these barriers.
To assist USTR in preparing for these negotiations, the USTR
requested, under authority delegated by the President and pursuant to
section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, that the Commission initiate
an investigation and prepare a report that provides advice as to the
probable economic effect on both the U.S. and Israeli agricultural
industries, respectively, if U.S.-Israel agricultural trade was
conducted in a free trade environment. The USTR asked that the
Commission, to the extent practicable, include the following in its
report:
Advice at the industry level that focuses on the main
products traded or likely to be traded between the United States and
Israel. The USTR asked that the Commission, in preparing its advice,
assume that the new ATAP would include elimination of tariffs and
tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) on all agricultural products so as to
calculate its maximum potential impact. The USTR asked that the
Commission seek to measure these effects, to the extent data permit,
through the use of partial equilibrium analysis or other quantitative
methods.
A list of the principal existing Israeli non-tariff
barriers to agricultural trade, whether or not justified (such as
technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and
TRQ administration) and information on TRQ fill rates, compiled from
publicly available sources, and an analysis of their impact on U.S.
agricultural exports to Israel.
A description of Israeli agricultural trade, covering the
major products and trading partners during 2002-2006, focusing on the
countries and regions that have free trade agreements in effect with
Israel.
A description of the Israeli agricultural sector compiled
from publicly available sources, including, to the extent possible,
regional production and employment patterns, and principal factors
affecting the competitiveness of the Israeli agricultural sector in
domestic and international markets.
As requested by the USTR, the Commission expects to deliver its
report by April 23, 2008. The USTR indicated that portions of the
report will be classified as confidential.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this
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
January 10, 2008. All persons 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, no later than
5:15 p.m., December 21, 2007, in accordance with the requirements in
the ``Written Submissions'' section below. In the event that, as of the
close of business on December 21, 2007, 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 nonparticipant
may call the Secretary to the Commission (202-205-2000) after December
21, 2007, for information concerning 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 and briefs concerning this investigation. All written
submissions, including requests to appear at the hearing, statements,
and briefs, should be addressed to the Secretary. Pre-hearing briefs
and statements should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., January 3,
2008; and post-hearing briefs and statements should be filed not later
than 5:15 p.m., January 16, 2008. All other submissions should be filed
not later than 5:15 p.m., February 1, 2008. 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). Section 201.8 requires
that a signed original (or a copy so designated) and fourteen (14)
copies of each document be filed. In the event that confidential
treatment of a document is requested, at least four (4) additional
copies must be filed, in which the confidential information must be
deleted (see the following paragraph for further information regarding
confidential business information). The Commission's rules authorize
filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means
only to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the rules (see
Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, https://www.usitc.gov/
secretary/fed_reg_notices/rules/documents/handbook_on_electronic_
filing.pdf). Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should
contact the Secretary (202-205-2000). Any submissions that contain
confidential business information must also conform with the
requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the rules requires that the
cover of the document and the individual pages be clearly marked as to
whether they are the ``confidential'' or ``non-confidential'' version,
and that the confidential business information be clearly identified by
means of brackets. 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.
The Commission may include some or all of the confidential business
information submitted in the course of this investigation in the report
it sends to the USTR. If the Commission publishes a public version of
the report, the published version will not include portions of the
report that the USTR has classified as confidential and will also not
include any confidential business information.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: November 21, 2007.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7-23224 Filed 11-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P