[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1364]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 20, 1994]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. TA-406-13]
Honey From China
Determination
On the basis of the information developed in the subject
investigation, the Commission determines1 that market disruption
exists with respect to imports of honey2 from China--that is,
imports of honey from China are increasing rapidly so as to be a
significant cause of threat of material injury to a domestic
industry.3
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\1\Commissioner Brunsdale dissenting.
\2\The honey products included in this investigation are imports
of natural honey, artificial honey mixed with natural honey, and
preparations of natural honey, provided for in heading 0409 and
subheadings 1702.90 and 2106.90 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (HTS).
\3\Section 406(e)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 defines market
disruption as existing whenever ``imports of an article, like or
directly competitive with an article produced by such domestic
industry, are increasing rapidly, either absolutely or relatively,
so as to be a significant cause of material injury, or threat
thereof, to such domestic industry.''
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Findings and Recommendations
Chairman Newquist, Commissioner Rohr and Commissioner Nuzum find
and recommend that in order to remedy the market disruption found with
respect to imports of honey from China, it is necessary to impose a
tariff-rate quota on such honey for a 3-year period, to be administered
on a quarterly basis, with imports entered within a quarterly quota of
12.5 million pounds of honey from China to be dutiable at a rate of 25
percent ad valorem, and over-quota imports entered during any calendar
quarter to be dutiable at a rate of 50 percent ad valorem, with such
duties imposed in lieu of the existing rate of duty. The Commissioners
also recommend review after 3 years, or earlier, depending on the
status of the federal honey loan support program.
Vice Chairman Watson finds and recommends that in order to remedy
the market disruption found with respect to imports of honey from
China, it is necessary to impose a tariff-rate quota on such honey for
a 2\1/2\ year period, with a rate of 15 percent ad valorem on the first
60 million pounds of honey imported from China annually, and a rate of
25 percent ad valorem on such honey that exceeds 60 million pounds.
Such duties should be in addition to current duties on such honey. Vice
Chairman Watson also recommends review not later than 2 years after
imposition of relief, with interested parties given the right to
petition the ITC for a review of the remedy proposed at any time after
1 year following any relief granted by the President.
Commissioner Brunsdale, although finding in the negative with
respect to market disruption and honey from China, recommends that if
the President imposes a remedy, it be a tariff-rate quota for a 3-year
period on such honey, with no additional duty imposed on the first 60
million pounds of honey from China entered annually, but with an
additional duty of 10 percent ad valorem imposed on imports that exceed
60 million pounds.
Commissioner Crawford finds and recommends that in order to remedy
the market disruption found with respect to imports of honey from
China, it is necessary to impose a duty of 10 percent ad valorem, in
lieu of the existing rate of duty, on all honey imported from China for
a period of three years. Commissioner Crawford also recommends review
after 3 years.
Background
This report is being furnished to the President pursuant to section
406(a)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2436(a)(3)) and is based
on an investigation conducted under section 406(a)(1) of the Trade Act.
The Commission instituted this investigation effective October 6, 1993,
following receipt of a request from the United States Trade
Representative.
Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigation and of
a public hearing 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 20, 1993 (58 FR 54169). The
hearing on injury and relief was held in Washington, DC, on December 2,
1993, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to
appear in person or by counsel.
The Commission transmitted its determination, findings and
recommendations in this investigation to the President on January 7,
1994. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication
2715 (January 1994), entitled ``Honey from China: Investigation No. TA-
406-13.''
Issued: January 11, 1994.
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-1364 Filed 1-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P00
