Andean Trade Preference Act: Effect on the U.S. Economy and on Andean Drug Crop Eradication

AGENCY:

United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION:

Notice of opportunity to submit comments in connection with 1999 annual report.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

March 22, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joanne Guth (202-205-3264), Country and Regional Analysis Division, Office of Economics, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20436.

Background

Section 206 of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) (19 U.S.C. 3204) requires that the Commission submit annual reports to the Congress regarding the economic impact of the Act on U.S. industries and consumers and, in conjunction with other agencies, the effectiveness of the Act in promoting drug-related crop eradication and crop substitution efforts of the beneficiary countries. Section 206(b) of the Act requires that each report include:

(1) The actual effect of ATPA on the U.S. economy generally as well as on specific domestic industries which produce articles that are like, or directly competitive with, articles being imported under the Act;

(2) The probable future effect that ATPA will have on the U.S. economy generally and on domestic industries affected by the Act; and

(3) the estimated effect that ATPA has had on drug-related crop eradication and crop substitution efforts of beneficiary countries.

In addition, in this year's report the Commission plans to examine the effectiveness of ATPA in promoting export-oriented growth and diversification of production in the beneficiary countries.

Notice of institution of the investigation and the schedule for such reports was published in the Federal Register of March 10, 1994 (59 FR 11308). The Commission's seventh annual report on ATPA, covering calendar year 1999, is to be submitted by October 2, 2000.

Written Submissions

The Commission does not plan to hold a public hearing in connection with the preparation of the seventh annual report. However, interested persons are invited to submit written statements concerning the matters to be addressed in the report. Commercial or financial information that a party desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked “Confidential Business Information” at the top. All submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of section 201 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made available for inspection by interested persons in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted at the earliest practical date and should be received no later than June 23, 2000. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.

Address all submissions to Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW., Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810.