Global Economic Impact of Missing and Low Pesticide Maximum Residue Levels Institution of Investigation and Scheduling of Hearing, 51176-51178 [2019-20959]
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concerning subject imports from Canada
before a bi-national Panel established
pursuant to Article 1904 of the North
American Free Trade Agreement. The
Panel affirmed in part and remanded in
part the Commission’s determinations.
In the Matter of Softwood Lumber from
Canada: Interim Decision and Order of
the Panel, Secretariat File No. USA–
CDA–2018–1903–03 (September 4,
2019). Specifically, the Panel remanded
for the Commission to reconsider
certain aspects of its analysis and
findings concerning the conditions of
competition and the volume of subject
imports and their price effects.
Participation in the proceeding.—
Only those persons who were interested
parties that participated in the
investigations (i.e., persons listed on the
Commission Secretary’s service list) and
also parties to the appeal may
participate in the remand proceedings.
Such persons need not make any
additional notice of appearances or
applications with the Commission to
participate in the remand proceedings,
unless they are adding new individuals
to the list of persons entitled to receive
business proprietary information
(‘‘BPI’’) under administrative protective
order. BPI referred to during the remand
proceedings will be governed, as
appropriate, by the administrative
protective order issued in the
investigations. The Secretary will
maintain a service list containing the
names and addresses of all persons or
their representatives who are parties to
the remand proceedings, and the
Secretary will maintain a separate list of
those authorized to receive BPI under
the administrative protective order
during the remand proceedings.
Written Submissions.—The
Commission is not reopening the record
and will not accept the submission of
new factual information for the record.
The Commission will permit the parties
to file comments concerning how the
Commission could best comply with the
Panel’s remand instructions.
The comments must be based solely
on the information in the Commission’s
record. The Commission will reject
submissions containing additional
factual information or arguments
pertaining to issues other than those on
which the Panel has remanded this
matter. The deadline for filing
comments is October 15, 2019.
Comments shall be limited to no more
than thirty (30) double-spaced and
single-sided pages of textual material,
inclusive of attachments and exhibits.
Parties are advised to consult with the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure, part 201, subparts A through
E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207,
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subpart A (19 CFR part 207) for
provisions of general applicability
concerning written submissions to the
Commission. All written submissions
must conform to the provisions of
section 201.8 of the Commission’s rules;
any submissions that contain BPI must
also conform with the requirements of
sections 201.6, 207.3, and 207.7 of the
Commission’s rules. The Commission’s
Handbook on E-Filing, available on the
Commission’s website at https://
edis.usitc.gov, elaborates upon the
Commission’s rules with respect to
electronic filing.
Additional written submissions to the
Commission, including requests
pursuant to section 201.12 of the
Commission’s rules, will not be
accepted unless good cause is shown for
accepting such submissions or unless
the submission is pursuant to a specific
request by a Commissioner or
Commission staff.
In accordance with sections 201.16(c)
and 207.3 of the Commission’s rules,
each document filed by a party to the
investigation must be served on all other
parties to the investigation (as identified
by either the public or BPI service list),
and a certificate of service must be
timely filed. The Secretary will not
accept a document for filing without a
certificate of service.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: September 23, 2019.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2019–20976 Filed 9–26–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332–573]
Global Economic Impact of Missing
and Low Pesticide Maximum Residue
Levels Institution of Investigation and
Scheduling of Hearing
United States International
Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and
scheduling of public hearing.
AGENCY:
Following receipt of a request
from the U.S. Trade Representative
(USTR) on August 30, 2019, under the
Tariff Act of 1930, the U.S. International
Trade Commission has instituted
Investigation No. 332–573, Global
Economic Impact of Missing and Low
Pesticide Maximum Residue Levels, for
the purpose of providing a report that
examines the global economic impact of
maximum residue level (MRL) policies.
DATES:
SUMMARY:
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October 17, 2019: Deadline for filing
requests to appear at the public
hearing
October 21, 2019: Deadline for filing
prehearing briefs and statements
October 29, 2019: Public hearing
November 5, 2019: Deadline for filing
posthearing briefs
December 13, 2019: Deadline for filing
all other written submissions for
volume 1
April 30, 2020: Transmittal of volume 1
of Commission report to the USTR
June 5, 2020: Deadline for filing all
other written submissions for volume
2
October 31, 2020: Transmittal of volume
2 of Commission report to the USTR
(Delivered Monday, November 2,
2020)
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 should be
addressed to the Secretary, United
States International Trade Commission,
500 E Street SW, Washington, DC
20436. The public record for this
investigation may be viewed on the
Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS)
at https://edis.usitc.gov/edis3-internal/
app.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Project Leader Sabina Neumann
(volumes 1 and 2) (202–205–3000 or
sabina.neumann@usitc.gov) or Deputy
Project Leader (volume 1) Steven
LeGrand (202–205–3094 or
steven.legrand@usitc.gov) or Deputy
Project Leader (volume 2) Justin Choe
(202–205–3229 or justin.choe@usitc.gov)
for information specific to this
investigation. For information on the
legal aspects of this investigation,
contact William Gearhart of the
Commission’s Office of the General
Counsel (202–205–3091 or
william.gearhart@usitc.gov). The media
should contact Margaret O’Laughlin,
Office of External Relations (202–205–
1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov).
Hearing-impaired individuals may
obtain information on this matter by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal at 202–205–1810. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
website (https://www.usitc.gov). Persons
with mobility impairments who will
need special assistance in gaining access
to the Commission should contact the
Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2002.
Background: As requested by the
USTR, under section 332(g) of the Tariff
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the
Commission will conduct an
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investigation and prepare a report on
the global economic impact of national
maximum residue level (MRL) policies
on plant protection products, with a
focus on the impacts that low and
missing standards have on agricultural
trade. The USTR requested that the
report include, to the extent practicable,
information and analysis regarding the
economic impact of pesticide MRLs on
farmers in countries representing a
range of income classifications (e.g., low
income, lower middle income, upper
middle income, etc.) as well as the
United States. The letter further
requested that, to the extent information
is available, the report cover the years
2016–2019, or the latest three years that
data are available, but may, where
appropriate, examine longer-term
trends.
More specifically, the USTR asked
that the report include the following:
(1) An overview of the role of plant
protection products and their MRLs in
relation to global production,
international trade, and food safety for
consumers. Describe the current and
expected challenges to global
agricultural production, including the
impact of evolving pest and diseases
pressures in differing regions and
climates.
(2) A broad description of the
approaches taken in setting national and
international MRLs for crops. Describe
the risk-based approach to setting MRLs
in the context of agricultural trade,
including the guidelines and principles
of the Codex Alimentarius. Describe the
procedures in the Codex Alimentarius
for setting pesticide MRLs, including
the role of the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting
on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) in
conducting risk assessments. Compare
this risk-based approach to a hazardbased approach. Describe U.S. efforts to
advance the use of lower-risk pesticides
globally.
(3) A description of how MRLs for
plant protection products are developed
and administered in major markets for
U.S. agricultural exports. Describe the
specific regulations, processes,
practices, and timelines in these major
markets for establishing, modifying, and
administering MRLs. Describe specific
MRL enforcement practices and
processes, including practices and
procedures for addressing noncompliant imported plant products.
Provide examples of how Codex MRLs
are adopted into national legislation or
regulation. Identify trade-facilitative
practices and processes.
(4) A description of challenges and
concerns faced by exporting countries in
meeting importing country pesticide
MRLs, such as when MRLs are missing
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or low. Explain the reasons for missing
and low MRLs.
(5) Through case studies, describe the
costs and effects of MRL compliance
and non-compliance for producers in
countries representing a range of income
classifications, such as uncertainty in
planting decisions, segregation of
products, crop protection costs, yield
implications, storage issues, product
losses, and consequences of MRL
violations. Include information on costs
of adopting new plant protection
products or those related to establishing,
modifying, or testing for new or existing
MRLs in export markets. To the extent
possible, include effects on producers in
countries with tropical climates where
products are subject to high levels of
pest and disease pressure.
(6) A review of the economic
literature that assesses both qualitatively
and quantitatively how missing and low
MRLs affect countries representing a
range of income classifications,
particularly low income countries, with
regard to production, exports, farmer
income, and prices.
(7) Through case studies, describe the
costs and effects or MRL compliance
and non-compliance for U.S. producers,
such as uncertainty in planting
decisions, segregation of products, crop
protection costs, yield implications,
storage issues, product losses, and
consequences of MRL violations.
Include information on costs of
adopting new plant protection products
or those related to establishing,
modifying, or testing for new or existing
MRLs in export markets. To the extent
possible, include effects on U.S.
producers of specialty crops.
(8) To the extent possible,
quantitatively and qualitatively assess
how missing and low MRLs affect
production, exports, farmer income, and
prices, both on the national level and,
to the extent possible, for small and
medium size farms.
The USTR asked that the Commission
prepare its report in two volumes, with
volume 1 covering bullets (1)–(6) above
transmitted by April 30, 2020, and
volume 2 covering bullets (7)–(8)
transmitted by October 31, 2020
(delivered on Monday, November 2,
2020).
Public Hearing: The Commission will
hold a public hearing in connection
with this investigation at the U.S.
International Trade Commission
Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington,
DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on October
29, 2019. Persons wishing to appear at
the public hearing should file a request
to appear with the Secretary, no later
than 5:15 p.m., October 17, 2019, in
accordance with the requirements in the
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51177
‘‘Submissions’’ section below. All prehearing briefs and statements should be
filed no later than 5:15 p.m., October 21,
2019; and all post-hearing briefs and
statements responding to matters raised
at the hearing should be filed no later
than 5:15 p.m., November 5, 2019. In
the event that, as of the close of business
on October 17, 2019, 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 should
contact the Office of the Secretary at
202–205–2000 after October 17, 2019,
for information concerning whether the
hearing will be held.
Written Submissions: In lieu of or in
addition to participating in the hearing,
the Commission invites interested
parties to submit written statements
concerning this investigation. All
written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary, and should
be received no later than 5:15 p.m.,
December 13, 2019 for matters to be
covered by volume 1 of the
Commission’s report, and June 3, 2020
for matters to be covered by volume 2
of the Commission’s report. 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
of the Rules (as further explained in the
Commission’s Handbook on Filing
Procedures) requires that interested
parties file documents electronically on
or before the filing deadline and submit
eight (8) true paper copies by 12:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on the next business day.
In the event that confidential treatment
of a document is requested, interested
parties must file, at the same time as the
eight paper copies, at least four (4)
additional true paper copies in which
the confidential information must be
deleted (see the following paragraph for
further information regarding
confidential business information or
‘‘CBI’’). Persons with questions
regarding electronic filing should
contact the Office of the Secretary,
Docket Services Division (202–205–
1802).
Confidential Business Information
(CBI): Any submissions that contain CBI
must also conform to 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 CBI is clearly
identified using brackets. The
Commission will make all written
submissions, except for those (or
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portions thereof) containing CBI,
available for inspection by interested
parties.
In his request letter, the USTR stated
that his office intends to make the
Commission’s report available to the
public in its entirety, and asked that the
Commission not include any CBI in the
report that it delivers to the USTR.
The Commission will not include any
of the CBI submitted in the course of
this investigation in the report it sends
to the USTR. However, all information,
including CBI, submitted in this
investigation may be disclosed to and
used (i) by the Commission, its
employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or
maintaining the records of this or a
related proceeding, or (b) in internal
investigations, audits, reviews, and
evaluations relating to the programs,
personnel, and operations of the
Commission, including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government
employees and contract personnel for
cybersecurity purposes. The
Commission will not otherwise disclose
any CBI in a manner that would reveal
the operations of the firm supplying the
information.
Summaries of Written Submissions:
The Commission intends to publish any
summaries of written submissions filed
by interested persons. Persons wishing
to have a summary of their submission
included in the report should include a
summary with their written submission,
titled ‘‘Public Summary,’’ and should
mark the summary as having been
provided for that purpose. The summary
may not exceed 500 words, should be in
MSWord format or a format that can be
easily converted to MSWord, and
should not include any CBI. The
summary will be published as provided
if it meets these requirements and is
germane to the subject matter of the
investigation. The Commission will
identify the name of the organization
furnishing the summary and will
include a link to the Commission’s
Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) where the full written
submission can be found.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: September 23, 2019.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2019–20959 Filed 9–26–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Notice of Lodging of Proposed
Consent Decree Under the
Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980, as Amended
On September 19, 2019, the United
States of America (‘‘United States’’),
through attorneys for the Department of
Justice, and the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Department of
Environmental Protection (‘‘PADEP’’),
lodged a proposed Consent Decree with
the United States District Court for the
Middle District of Pennsylvania in the
lawsuit entitled United States et al. v.
Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation,
Civil Action No. 3:19–cv–01620–UN4.
In their Complaint, also filed on
September 19, 2019, pursuant to
Sections 106, 107(a), and 113(g) of the
Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980, as amended (‘‘CERCLA’’),
42 U.S.C. 9606, 9607(a), and 9613(g),
and pursuant to Sections 507 and 1103
of the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, Act
of October 18, 1988, Public Law 756, 35
P.S. §§ 6020.507 and 6020.1103
(‘‘HSCA’’), the United States and PADEP
(‘‘Plaintiffs’’) allege that Defendant
Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
(‘‘FWEC’’) is liable for cleanup costs
incurred and to be incurred by the
United States and PADEP in connection
with the cleanup of the Foster Wheeler
Energy Corporation/Church Road TCE
Superfund Alternative Site (‘‘Site’’) in
Mountain Top, Luzerne County,
Pennsylvania. The Site includes a
former industrial site used to
manufacture and fabricate large pressure
vessels that was formerly owned and
operated by FWEC (the ‘‘Former FWEC
Facility’’). The Site also includes any
areas at which hazardous substances
released at or from this facility have
come to be located, including an area of
groundwater contamination located
south and southwest of the Former
FWEC Facility and encompassing
approximately 295 acres of mixed land
use (mainly residential), which extends
from east to west along Church Road
and Watering Run, and eight
surrounding industrial properties
located immediately south and west of
the Former FWEC Facility.
The proposed Consent Decree
resolves all allegations asserted in the
Plaintiffs’ Complaint and provides for
FWEC to pay to the United States
Environmental Protection Agency
(‘‘EPA’’) $950,000.00 in past response
costs incurred with respect to the Site,
and to pay to PADEP $56,051.21 in past
state response costs incurred with
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respect to the Site. These payments are
due within thirty (30) days after the
Consent Decree becomes effective as a
judgment, if it is entered by the Court.
The proposed Consent Decree also
requires FWEC to pay the United States’
and PADEP’s future response costs and
to perform the Interim Remedy selected
in EPA’s Interim Record of Decision for
the Site. In exchange, FWEC receives
from both Plaintiffs covenants not to sue
for the interim remedial work performed
and payment of past and future federal
and state response costs, subject to
certain reservations and limitations.
The publication of this notice opens
a federal period for public comment on
the Consent Decree. Comments should
be addressed to the Assistant Attorney
General, Environment and Natural
Resources Division, and should refer to
United States et al. v. Foster Wheeler
Energy Corporation, D.J. Ref. No. 90–11–
3–12044. All comments must be
submitted no later than 30 days after the
publication date of this notice.
Comments may be submitted either by
email or by mail:
To submit
comments:
Send them to:
By email .......
pubcomment-ees.enrd@
usdoj.gov.
Assistant Attorney General,
U.S. DOJ—ENRD, P.O.
Box 7611, Washington, DC
20044–7611.
By mail .........
During the public comment period,
the Consent Decree may be examined
and downloaded at this Justice
Department website: https://
www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
We will provide a paper copy of the
Consent Decree upon written request
and payment of reproduction costs.
Please mail your request and payment
to: Consent Decree Library, U.S. DOJ—
ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC
20044–7611.
Please enclose a check or money order
for $39.50 (0.25 cents per page
reproduction cost) payable to the United
States Treasury for a copy of the full
Consent Decree with appendices. For a
paper copy without the appendices, the
cost is $12.00.
Jeffrey Sands,
Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement
Section, Environment and Natural Resources
Division.
[FR Doc. 2019–20966 Filed 9–26–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–15–P
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[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 188 (Friday, September 27, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51176-51178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20959]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-573]
Global Economic Impact of Missing and Low Pesticide Maximum
Residue Levels Institution of Investigation and Scheduling of Hearing
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request from the U.S. Trade
Representative (USTR) on August 30, 2019, under the Tariff Act of 1930,
the U.S. International Trade Commission has instituted Investigation
No. 332-573, Global Economic Impact of Missing and Low Pesticide
Maximum Residue Levels, for the purpose of providing a report that
examines the global economic impact of maximum residue level (MRL)
policies.
DATES:
October 17, 2019: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the public
hearing
October 21, 2019: Deadline for filing prehearing briefs and statements
October 29, 2019: Public hearing
November 5, 2019: Deadline for filing posthearing briefs
December 13, 2019: Deadline for filing all other written submissions
for volume 1
April 30, 2020: Transmittal of volume 1 of Commission report to the
USTR
June 5, 2020: Deadline for filing all other written submissions for
volume 2
October 31, 2020: Transmittal of volume 2 of Commission report to the
USTR (Delivered Monday, November 2, 2020)
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
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The public record
for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic
docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov/edis3-internal/app.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader Sabina Neumann (volumes
1 and 2) (202-205-3000 or [email protected]) or Deputy Project
Leader (volume 1) Steven LeGrand (202-205-3094 or
[email protected]) or Deputy Project Leader (volume 2) Justin
Choe (202-205-3229 or [email protected]) for information specific
to this investigation. For information on the legal aspects of this
investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Commission's Office of
the General Counsel (202-205-3091 or [email protected]). The
media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations
(202-205-1819 or [email protected]). Hearing-impaired
individuals may obtain information on this matter by contacting the
Commission's TDD terminal at 202-205-1810. General information
concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its website
(https://www.usitc.gov). Persons with mobility impairments who will
need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should
contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2002.
Background: As requested by the USTR, under section 332(g) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the Commission will conduct an
[[Page 51177]]
investigation and prepare a report on the global economic impact of
national maximum residue level (MRL) policies on plant protection
products, with a focus on the impacts that low and missing standards
have on agricultural trade. The USTR requested that the report include,
to the extent practicable, information and analysis regarding the
economic impact of pesticide MRLs on farmers in countries representing
a range of income classifications (e.g., low income, lower middle
income, upper middle income, etc.) as well as the United States. The
letter further requested that, to the extent information is available,
the report cover the years 2016-2019, or the latest three years that
data are available, but may, where appropriate, examine longer-term
trends.
More specifically, the USTR asked that the report include the
following:
(1) An overview of the role of plant protection products and their
MRLs in relation to global production, international trade, and food
safety for consumers. Describe the current and expected challenges to
global agricultural production, including the impact of evolving pest
and diseases pressures in differing regions and climates.
(2) A broad description of the approaches taken in setting national
and international MRLs for crops. Describe the risk-based approach to
setting MRLs in the context of agricultural trade, including the
guidelines and principles of the Codex Alimentarius. Describe the
procedures in the Codex Alimentarius for setting pesticide MRLs,
including the role of the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues
(JMPR) in conducting risk assessments. Compare this risk-based approach
to a hazard-based approach. Describe U.S. efforts to advance the use of
lower-risk pesticides globally.
(3) A description of how MRLs for plant protection products are
developed and administered in major markets for U.S. agricultural
exports. Describe the specific regulations, processes, practices, and
timelines in these major markets for establishing, modifying, and
administering MRLs. Describe specific MRL enforcement practices and
processes, including practices and procedures for addressing non-
compliant imported plant products. Provide examples of how Codex MRLs
are adopted into national legislation or regulation. Identify trade-
facilitative practices and processes.
(4) A description of challenges and concerns faced by exporting
countries in meeting importing country pesticide MRLs, such as when
MRLs are missing or low. Explain the reasons for missing and low MRLs.
(5) Through case studies, describe the costs and effects of MRL
compliance and non-compliance for producers in countries representing a
range of income classifications, such as uncertainty in planting
decisions, segregation of products, crop protection costs, yield
implications, storage issues, product losses, and consequences of MRL
violations. Include information on costs of adopting new plant
protection products or those related to establishing, modifying, or
testing for new or existing MRLs in export markets. To the extent
possible, include effects on producers in countries with tropical
climates where products are subject to high levels of pest and disease
pressure.
(6) A review of the economic literature that assesses both
qualitatively and quantitatively how missing and low MRLs affect
countries representing a range of income classifications, particularly
low income countries, with regard to production, exports, farmer
income, and prices.
(7) Through case studies, describe the costs and effects or MRL
compliance and non-compliance for U.S. producers, such as uncertainty
in planting decisions, segregation of products, crop protection costs,
yield implications, storage issues, product losses, and consequences of
MRL violations. Include information on costs of adopting new plant
protection products or those related to establishing, modifying, or
testing for new or existing MRLs in export markets. To the extent
possible, include effects on U.S. producers of specialty crops.
(8) To the extent possible, quantitatively and qualitatively assess
how missing and low MRLs affect production, exports, farmer income, and
prices, both on the national level and, to the extent possible, for
small and medium size farms.
The USTR asked that the Commission prepare its report in two
volumes, with volume 1 covering bullets (1)-(6) above transmitted by
April 30, 2020, and volume 2 covering bullets (7)-(8) transmitted by
October 31, 2020 (delivered on Monday, November 2, 2020).
Public Hearing: The Commission will hold a public hearing in
connection with this investigation at the U.S. International Trade
Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30
a.m. on October 29, 2019. Persons wishing to appear at the public
hearing should file a request to appear with the Secretary, no later
than 5:15 p.m., October 17, 2019, in accordance with the requirements
in the ``Submissions'' section below. All pre-hearing briefs and
statements should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m., October 21, 2019;
and all post-hearing briefs and statements responding to matters raised
at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m., November 5,
2019. In the event that, as of the close of business on October 17,
2019, 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 should contact the Office of the Secretary
at 202-205-2000 after October 17, 2019, for information concerning
whether the hearing will be held.
Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in
the hearing, the Commission invites interested parties to submit
written statements concerning this investigation. All written
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, and should be
received no later than 5:15 p.m., December 13, 2019 for matters to be
covered by volume 1 of the Commission's report, and June 3, 2020 for
matters to be covered by volume 2 of the Commission's report. 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 of the Rules (as further explained in the Commission's
Handbook on Filing Procedures) requires that interested parties file
documents electronically on or before the filing deadline and submit
eight (8) true paper copies by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the next
business day. In the event that confidential treatment of a document is
requested, interested parties must file, at the same time as the eight
paper copies, at least four (4) additional true paper copies in which
the confidential information must be deleted (see the following
paragraph for further information regarding confidential business
information or ``CBI''). Persons with questions regarding electronic
filing should contact the Office of the Secretary, Docket Services
Division (202-205-1802).
Confidential Business Information (CBI): Any submissions that
contain CBI must also conform to 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 CBI is
clearly identified using brackets. The Commission will make all written
submissions, except for those (or
[[Page 51178]]
portions thereof) containing CBI, available for inspection by
interested parties.
In his request letter, the USTR stated that his office intends to
make the Commission's report available to the public in its entirety,
and asked that the Commission not include any CBI in the report that it
delivers to the USTR.
The Commission will not include any of the CBI submitted in the
course of this investigation in the report it sends to the USTR.
However, all information, including CBI, submitted in this
investigation may be disclosed to and used (i) by the Commission, its
employees and Offices, and contract personnel (a) for developing or
maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in
internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations relating to
the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission, including
under 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and
contract personnel for cybersecurity purposes. The Commission will not
otherwise disclose any CBI in a manner that would reveal the operations
of the firm supplying the information.
Summaries of Written Submissions: The Commission intends to publish
any summaries of written submissions filed by interested persons.
Persons wishing to have a summary of their submission included in the
report should include a summary with their written submission, titled
``Public Summary,'' and should mark the summary as having been provided
for that purpose. The summary may not exceed 500 words, should be in
MSWord format or a format that can be easily converted to MSWord, and
should not include any CBI. The summary will be published as provided
if it meets these requirements and is germane to the subject matter of
the investigation. The Commission will identify the name of the
organization furnishing the summary and will include a link to the
Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS) where the
full written submission can be found.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: September 23, 2019.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2019-20959 Filed 9-26-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
