International Trade Commission December 1, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Following receipt on November 2, 2006, of a request from the Committee on Finance of the U.S. Senate (Committee) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted investigation No. 332-481, Industrial Biotechnology: Development and Adoption by the U.S. Chemical and Biofuel Industries. Background: As requested by the Committee, the Commission will institute an investigation under section 332(g) with respect to the competitive conditions affecting certain industries that are developing and adopting new biotechnology processes and products. The Commission will transmit its report to the Committee by July 2, 2008. As requested by the Committee, the Commission's report will focus to the extent practicableon firms in the U.S. chemical industry that are developing bio-based products (e.g., fibers and plastics) and renewable chemical platforms, as well as U.S. producers of liquid biofuels. The Commission will 1. Describe and compare government policies in the United States and key competitor countries throughout the world relating to the development of products by these industries; 2. Analyze the extent of business activity in these industries, including, but not limited to, trends in production, financial performance, investment, research and development, and impediments to development and trade; 3. Examine factors affecting the development of bio-based products, including liquid biofuels, and renewable chemical platforms being developed by the U.S. chemical industry, including, but not limited to, globalization of supply chains, capital investment sources, strategic alliances, intellectual property rights, and technology transfer mechanisms; 4. Determine, to the extent feasible, how the adoption of industrial biotechnology processing and products impacts the productivity and competitiveness of firms in these industries; and 5. Assess how existing U.S. government programs may affect the production and utilization of agricultural feedstocks for liquid biofuels as well as bio-based products and renewable chemical platforms being developed by the U.S. chemical industry.