ITC Announces Hearing, Seeks Comments for Report on Impact of ATPA

May 7, 2010 |Other Agency Postings

The International Trade Commission has issued a notice requesting comments in connection with the 14^th report to Congress on the economic impact of the Andean Trade Preference Act on U.S. industries and U.S. consumers.

Comments are due by July 14, 2010.

Regulations Require Biennial Report on Economic Impact in U.S.

The ITC explains that it is required to submit biennial reports to Congress and the President regarding the economic impact of ATPA on U.S. consumers, as well as on the effectiveness of the act in promoting drug related crop substitution efforts by beneficiary countries.

According to the ITC, Section 206 of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) (19 U.S.C. 3204) requires that the Commission submit biennial 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:

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 from beneficiary countries;
The probable future effect that ATPA will have on the U.S. economy generally and on such domestic industries; and
The estimated effect that ATPA has had on drug-related crop eradication and crop substitution efforts of beneficiary countries.

Hearing to be Held July 7^th: Requests to Appear by June 24^th

The ITC will hold a hearing in connection with this investigation on July 7, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. in Washington, D.C. Requests to appear at the hearing are due by June 24, 2010. Pre-hearing briefs and statements are due by June 30, 2010. Post-hearing briefs and statements are due by July 14, 2010.

The ITC will transmit its report to Congress and the President on September 30, 2010.

ITC contact — Walker Pollard (202) 205-3228

ITC notice (Inv. No. 332-352, FR Pub 05/06/10) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-10688.htm.