81 FR 95724 - Public Comments and Hearing Regarding Request To Reinstate Action Taken in Connection With the European Union's Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 249 (December 28, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 249 (December 28, 2016)
| Page Range | 95724-95729 | |
| FR Document | 2016-31352 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 28, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 95724-95729] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-31352] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE [Docket No. USTR-2016-0025] Public Comments and Hearing Regarding Request To Reinstate Action Taken in Connection With the European Union's Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice of public hearing and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The interagency Section 301 Committee is holding a public hearing and seeking public comments to assist the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) in connection with the request of representatives of the U.S. beef industry to reinstate action against the European Union (EU) pursuant to Section 306(c) of the 1974 Trade Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2416(c)). Prior to reinstating trade action, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will conduct a review of the effectiveness of such an action, and of other actions that could be taken (including actions against other products), in achieving the objectives of Section 301 of this title (19 U.S.C. 2411); and the effects of such actions on the United States economy, including consumers. DATES: The schedule and deadlines are as follows: Monday, January 30, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.: Deadline for interested persons to submit written comments and requests to appear at the hearing, which must include a summary of testimony. Wednesday, February 15, 2017: The Section 301 Committee will convene a public hearing in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20508, beginning at 9:30 a.m. If necessary, the hearing may continue on the next business day. Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.: Deadline for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments. ADDRESSES: All written comments, requests to appear at the hearing, hearing summaries, and rebuttal comments must be in English and submitted electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments in section E below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning written comments or participating in the public hearing, contact Gwendolyn Diggs at (202) 395-3150. For questions on the EU-Beef matter, contact Roger Wentzel, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs, (202) 395-6127, or David Weiner, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe, (202) 395-3320. Direct all other questions regarding this notice to William Busis, Associate General Counsel and Chair of the Section 301 Committee, (202) 395-3150, or Katherine Linton, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 395-3150. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. The EU-Beef Matter The EU bans the import of beef and beef products produced from animals to which any of six hormones have been administered for growth- promotion purposes. The six hormones at issue are estradiol 17-b, testosterone, progesterone, zeranol, trenbolone acetate (TBA) and melengestrol acetate (MGA). The effect of the EU ban is to prohibit the import of all but specially-produced U.S. beef and beef products. In February 1998, the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in the EU-Beef case found that the ban was inconsistent with the obligations of the European Communities (now the EU) under the WTO Agreement. In July 1999, a WTO arbitrator determined that the EU import ban on U.S. beef and beef products had nullified or impaired U.S. benefits under the WTO Agreement in the amount of $116.8 million each year. On July 26, 1999, the DSB authorized the United States to suspend the application to the EU, and member States thereof, of WTO tariff concessions and related [[Page 95725]] obligations covering trade in an amount of $116.8 million per year. Pursuant to that authorization, USTR announced a list of EU products that would be subject to a 100 percent rate of duty effective with respect to products entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after July 29, 1999. See 64 FR 40638. On November 6, 2008, the inter-agency Section 301 committee requested public comments on a list of alternative products under consideration for the imposition of increased duties. On January 23, 2009, USTR announced a determination to modify the list of products subject to additional duties by removing some products from the list and adding replacement products, consistent with the WTO's authorization. See 74 FR 4265. USTR subsequently delayed the additional duties on the replacement products to facilitate negotiations with the EU. On May 13, 2009, the United States and the European Commission announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the EU- Beef case. See 74 FR 40864. B. The MOU The MOU provided for the EU to make phased increases in market access by adopting a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for beef produced without growth-promoting hormones (termed HQB products), in return for the United States making phased reductions in additional duties the United States had imposed consistent with WTO authorization. See 74 FR 40864. Both in accordance with the MOU and as a result of a decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, USTR terminated all additional duties on EU products, effective May 2011. See 76 FR 30987. Under the second phase of the MOU, starting in August 2012, the EU increased the TRQ to 45,000 metric tons (MT). Although the EU has maintained this 45,000 MT TRQ for HQB products, it has not in practice provided benefits to the U.S. beef industry sufficient to compensate for the economic harm resulting from the EU ban on all but specially- produced U.S. beef. In particular, non-U.S. exporters of HQB products have been able to fill a substantial part of the 45,000 MT TRQ. C. Sections 306 and 307 of the 1974 Trade Act, as Amended In February 2016, Congress passed and the President signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. Among other things, the Act amended relevant provisions of the 1974 Trade Act to confirm that the Trade Representative may reinstate a previously terminated Section 301 action in order to exercise a WTO authorization to suspend trade concessions. In particular, the new Section 306(c) of the 1974 Trade Act permits the Trade Representative to reinstate a Section 301 action following (1) a request from the petitioner or any representative of the domestic industry that would benefit from reinstatement of action, (2) consultations under Section 306(d) of the Trade Act, and (3) a review under section 307(c) of the Trade Act. Section 306(d) of the 1974 Trade Act requires the Trade Representative to consult with the petitioner, if any, involved in the initial investigation and with representatives of the domestic industry concerned, and provide an opportunity for the presentation of views by interested parties. Section 307(c) requires the Trade Representative to conduct a review of the effectiveness of such an action, and of other actions that could be taken (including actions against other products), in achieving the objectives of Section 301 of this title (19 U.S.C. 2411); and the effects of such actions on the United States economy, including consumers. On December 9, 2016, representatives of the U.S. beef industry invoked the new Section 306(c) of the 1974 Trade Act by filing a written request for reinstatement of action. D. Request for Public Comments and To Testify at the Hearing In order to assist in a possible reinstatement of the action in accordance with Section 306(c) of the 1974 Trade Act, and to provide information in connection with a review under Section 307(c) of the Act, the Section 301 Committee seeks public comments with respect to the specific EU products on the lists in the annexes to this notice. Annex I contains the full list of EU products covered by the ongoing WTO authorization for the United States to suspend tariff concessions and related obligations with respect to the EU. In addition, for convenience, Annex II contains the list of EU products initially subject to increased duties starting in 1999, and in effect in whole or in part until 2011. Annex II is a subset of the full product list in Annex I. In considering a possible reinstatement of the action, the Trade Representative will consider including any product listed in Annex I, regardless of whether that product was covered by the 1999 action. The Section 301 Committee invites comments with respect to whether particular products should be included on a new list that would be subject to increased duties, as well as the rate of duty that would be best suited to the objective of encouraging a satisfactory resolution of the dispute. The comments should address: (i) Whether imposing increased duties on a particular product would be practicable or effective in terms of encouraging a favorable resolution of the dispute, and (ii) whether imposing increased duties on a particular product would cause disproportionate economic harm to U.S. interests, including small- or medium-size businesses and consumers. In addition, the Section 301 Committee requests comments on whether actions on particular products should be taken with respect to products of all members of the EU, or whether action should be taken with respect to products of one or more particular EU members. The EU currently has 28 member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. To be assured of consideration, you must submit written comments by 11:59 p.m. on January 30, 2017 in accordance with the instructions in section E below. The Section 301 Committee will convene a public hearing in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20508, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on February 15, 2017. Persons wishing to appear at the hearing must provide written notification of their intention and a summary of the proposed testimony by 11:59 p.m. on January 30, 2017 in accordance with the instructions in section E below. Remarks at the hearing may be no more than five minutes to allow for possible questions from the Section 301 Committee. The deadline for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments is 11:59 p.m. February 22, 2017. Indicate in the ``Type Comment'' field if you are submitting a request to appear at the hearing, and include the name, address and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony. A summary of the testimony should be attached by using the ``Upload File'' field. The file name should include who will be presenting the testimony. Remarks at the hearing should be limited to no more than five minutes to allow for possible questions from the section 301 Committee. E. Requirements for Submissions Persons submitting a notification of intent to testify and/or written [[Page 95726]] comments must do so in English and must identify (on the reference line of the first page of the submission) ``Request to Reinstate Action Taken in Connection with European Union Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products.'' In addition, if the submission covers one or more particular products, those products (both tariff number and description) should be listed on the reference line. To be assured of consideration, you must submit written comments, requests to testify and summaries of testimony by 11:59 p.m. on January 30, 2017. Rebuttal comments are due by 11:59 p.m. on February 22, 2017. All submissions must be in English and must be submitted electronically via http://www.regulations.gov, using docket number USTR-2016-0025. Hand-delivered submissions will not be accepted. To make a submission via www.regulations.gov, enter Docket Number USTR-2016-0025 on the home page and click ``Search.'' The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find the reference to this notice and click on the button labeled ``Comment Now.'' For further information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ``How to Use Regulations.gov'' on the bottom of the home page. The www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments by filling in a ``Type Comment'' field, or by attaching a document using an ``Upload File'' field. USTR prefers that submissions be provided as an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type ``see attached'' in the ``Type Comment'' field. USTR prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. If the submission is in another file format, please indicate the name of the software application in the ``Type Comment'' field. File names should reflect the name of the person or entity submitting the comments. Indicate in the ``Type Comment'' field if you are submitting a request to appear at the hearing, and include the name, address and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony. The file name should include who will be presenting the testimony. Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a cover letter in the comments themselves. Similarly, to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in the same file as the comment itself, rather than submitting them as separate files. For any comments submitted electronically containing business confidential information, the file name of the business confidential version should begin with the characters ``BC''. Any page containing business confidential information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top of that page and the submission should clearly indicate, via brackets, highlighting, or other means, the specific information that is business confidential. A filer requesting business confidential treatment must certify that the information is business confidential and would not customarily be released to the public by the submitter. Filers of submissions containing business confidential information also must submit a public version of their comments. The file name of the public version should begin with the character ``P''. The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or reply comments. As noted, USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through www.regulations.gov. Any alternative arrangements must be made in advance of submission with Gwendolyn Diggs at (202) 395-3150. General information concerning USTR is available at www.ustr.gov. Comments will be placed in the docket and open to public inspection, except information granted business confidential status. Comments may be viewed on the www.regulations.gov Web site by entering the relevant docket number in the search field on the home page. William L. Busis, Chair, Section 301 Committee. ANNEX I EU-Beef: List of Products Under Consideration for the Imposition of Increased Duties The products listed below are under consideration for the imposition of increased duties in accordance with the WTO DSB authorization in the EU-Beef dispute. In particular, increased tariffs may be applied to articles that are: (i) classified in the numerical headings and subheadings of the HTS listed below; and, (ii) products of one or more of the member States of the EU. In the instances where a 4-digit HTS heading appears in the left column of this list, products classified in any of the 8-digit subheadings in the HTS under those 4-digit headings may be subject to increased duties. In all cases, the tariff nomenclatures in the HTS for the headings and subheadings listed below are definitive; the product descriptions in this list are for information purposes only. The descriptions below are not intended to delimit in any way the scope of the products that would be subject to increased duties. An asterisk (*) indicates a change in the HTS number and/or product description since the previous publication of this list. See 73 FR 66071-66074. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HTS Description ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0201.......................... Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled. 0202.......................... Meat of bovine animals, frozen. 0203.......................... Meat of swine (pork), fresh, chilled or frozen. 0206.......................... Edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, horses, or mules, fresh, chilled or frozen. 0207.......................... Meat and edible offal of poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and guineas), fresh, chilled or frozen. 02101100...................... Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof with bone in, salted, in brine, dried or smoked. 02101200...................... Bellies (streaky) and cuts thereof of swine, salted, in brine, dried or smoked. 02102000...................... Meat of bovine animals, salted, in brine, dried or smoked. 02109920...................... Meat and edible offal of poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and guineas), salted, in brine, dried or smoked; flour and meal of these animals. 021099991 *................... Meat and edible offal nesoi, salted, in brine, dried or smoked; flour and meal thereof. 04064020...................... Roquefort cheese in original loaves. 04064040...................... Roquefort cheese, other than in original loaves, not grated or powdered, not processed. 05040000...................... Guts, bladders and stomachs of animals (other than fish), whole and pieces thereof, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, in brine, dried or smoked. 06039000...................... Cut flowers and flower buds, suitable for bouquets or ornamental purposes, dried, dyed, bleached impregnated or otherwise prepared. 06042000 *.................... Foliage, branches and other parts of plants without flowers or flower buds, and grasses, suitable for bouquets or ornamental purposes, fresh. [[Page 95727]] 06049030 *.................... Foliage, branches, parts of plants without flowers or buds, and grasses, suitable for bouquets or ornamental purposes, dried or bleached. 07020020...................... Tomatoes, fresh or chilled, entered during March l to July 14, inclusive, or during September 1 to November 14, inclusive, in any year. 07020040...................... Tomatoes, fresh or chilled, entered from July 15 through August 31 in any year. 07020060...................... Tomatoes, fresh or chilled, entered from November 15 to the last day of February, inclusive, of the following year. 07031040...................... Onions, other than onion sets or pearl onions not over 16 mm in diameter, and shallots, fresh or chilled. 07095910...................... Truffles, fresh or chilled. 07129010...................... Dried carrots, whole, cut, sliced, broken or in powder, but not further prepared. 07129074...................... Dried tomatoes, in powder. 07129078...................... Dried tomatoes, whole, cut, sliced or broken, but not further prepared. 08024100 *.................... Chestnuts, fresh or dried, in shell.* 08024200 *.................... Chestnuts, fresh or dried, shelled.* 09042120 *.................... Paprika, dried, neither crushed nor ground.* 09042220 *.................... Paprika, crushed or ground.* 10041000 *.................... Oats, seed.* 10049000 *.................... Oats, other than seed.* 11041200...................... Rolled or flaked grains of oats. 11042200...................... Grains of oats, hulled, pearled, clipped, sliced, kibbled or otherwise worked, but not rolled or flaked. 15050090...................... Fatty substances derived from wool grease (including lanolin). 1601.......................... Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal or blood; food preparations based on these products. 16021000...................... Homogenized preparations of meat, meat offal or blood, other than sausages and similar products. 16022020...................... Prepared or preserved liver of goose. 16022040...................... Prepared or preserved liver of any animal other than of goose. 16023100...................... Prepared or preserved meat or meat offal of turkeys, other than sausages and similar products. 16023200...................... Prepared or preserved meat or meat offal of chickens, other than sausages and similar products. 16023900...................... Prepared or preserved meat or meat offal of ducks, geese or guineas, other than sausages and similar products. 16024110...................... Prepared or preserved pork ham and cuts thereof, containing cereals or vegetables. 16024120...................... Pork hams and cuts thereof, not containing cereals or vegetables, boned and cooked and packed in airtight containers. 16024190...................... Prepared or preserved pork hams and cuts thereof, not containing cereals or vegetables, other than boned and cooked and packed in airtight containers. 16024220...................... Pork shoulders and cuts thereof, boned and cooked and packed in airtight containers. 16024240...................... Prepared or preserved pork shoulders and cuts thereof, other than boned and cooked and packed in airtight containers. 16024910...................... Prepared or preserved pork offal, including mixtures. 16024920...................... Pork other than hams, shoulders or cuts thereof, not containing cereals or vegetables, boned and cooked and packed in airtight containers. 16024940...................... Prepared or preserved pork, not containing cereals or vegetables, nesoi. 16024960...................... Prepared or preserved pork mixed with beef. 16024990...................... Prepared or preserved pork, nesoi. 16025005...................... Prepared or preserved offal of bovine animals. 16025009...................... Prepared or preserved meat of bovine animals, cured or pickled, not containing cereals or vegetables. 16025010...................... Corned beef in airtight containers. 16025020...................... Prepared or preserved beef in airtight containers, other than corned beef, not containing cereals or vegetables, not cured or pickled. 16025060...................... Prepared or preserved meat of bovine animals, not containing cereals or vegetables, not in airtight containers. 16025090...................... Prepared or preserved meat of bovine animals, containing cereals or vegetables. 17041000...................... Chewing gum, whether or not sugar- coated. 17049025...................... Sugar confectionary cough drops. 18063100...................... Chocolate and other cocoa preparations, in blocks, slabs or bars, filled, weighing not more than 2 kg. 19054000...................... Rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products. 20021000...................... Tomatoes, whole or in pieces, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid. 20029040...................... Tomatoes, in powder. 20029080...................... Tomatoes, other than whole or in pieces and other than in powder (including paste and puree), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid. 20079905...................... Lingonberry and raspberry jams obtained by cooking. 20083042...................... Satsumas, prepared or preserved, in airtight containers, aggregate quantity not over 40,000 metric tons/calendar year. 20083046...................... Satsumas, prepared or preserved, in airtight containers, aggregate quantity over 40,000 metric tons/calendar year. 20084000...................... Pears, otherwise prepared or preserved, nesoi. 20087020...................... Peaches (excluding nectarines), otherwise prepared or preserved, nesoi. 20096100...................... Grape juice (including grape must), of a Brix value not exceeding 30. 20096900...................... Grape juice (including grape must), of a Brix value exceeding 30. 20098100 *.................... Cranberry juice, concentrated or not concentrated.* 20098960 *.................... Juice of any single fruit, nesi, (including cherries and berries), concentrated or not concentrated.* 20099040...................... Mixtures of fruit juices, or mixtures of vegetable and fruit juices. 21013000...................... Roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes and extracts, essences and concentrates thereof. 21033040...................... Prepared mustard. 21041000...................... Soups and broths and preparations therefor. 22011000...................... Mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavored. 23099010...................... Mixed feed or mixed feed ingredients of a kind used in animal feeding. 35061050...................... Products suitable for use as glues or adhesives, put up for retail sale, not exceeding l kg, including fish glue but not other animal glue. 55041000...................... Viscose rayon staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning. 55101100...................... Single yarn (other than sewing thread) containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers, not put up for retail sale. [[Page 95728]] 85102010...................... Hair clippers, with self-contained electric motor, to be used for agricultural or horticultural purposes. 85102090...................... Hair clippers, with self-contained electric motor, other than those to be used for agricultural or horticultural purposes. 87112000...................... Motorcycles (incl. mopeds) and cycles, fitted with reciprocating internal- combustion piston engine with cylinder capacity of over 50 cc but not over 250 cc. 87113000...................... Motorcycles (incl. mopeds) and cycles, fitted with reciprocating internal- combustion piston engine with cylinder capacity of over 250 cc but not over 500 cc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANNEX II EU-Beef: List of Products Initially Subject to Increased Duties Annex II contains the list of EU products initially subject to increased duties starting in 1999, and in effect in whole or in part until 2011. Annex II is a subset of the full product list in Annex I. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HTS Description ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Products of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, or Sweden ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0201................................. Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled. 0202................................. Meat of bovine animals, frozen. 02031100............................. Pork carcasses and half- carcasses, fresh or chilled. 02031210............................. Pork hams and shoulders and cuts thereof, fresh or chilled, with bone in, processed. 02031290............................. Pork hams and shoulders and cuts thereof, fresh or chilled, with bone in, not processed. 02031920............................. Meat of swine (pork), fresh or chilled, other, processed. 02031940............................. Meat of swine (pork), fresh or chilled, other. 02032100............................. Pork carcasses and half- carcasses, frozen. 02032210............................. Pork hams and shoulders and cuts thereof, frozen, with bone in, processed. 02032290............................. Pork hams and shoulders and cuts thereof, frozen, with bone in, not processed. 02061000............................. Bovine tongues, fresh or chilled. 02062100............................. Bovine tongues, frozen. 02062200............................. Bovine livers, frozen. 02062900............................. Edible offal of bovine animals, frozen, other than tongues or livers. 04064020............................. Roquefort cheese in original loaves. 04064040............................. Roquefort cheese, other than in original loaves, not grated or powdered, not processed. 07031040............................. Onions, other than onion sets or pearl onions not over 16 mm in diameter, and shallots, fresh or chilled. 07095910............................. Truffles, fresh or chilled. 07129010............................. Dried carrots, whole, cut, sliced, broken or in powder, but not further prepared. 16022020............................. Prepared or preserved liver of goose. 16022040............................. Prepared or preserved liver of any animal other than of goose. 19054000............................. Rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products. 20098060............................. Juice of any single fruit, (including cherries and berries), concentrated or not concentrated, other than citrus, pineapple, tomato, grape, apple, pear, or prune juices. 21013000............................. Roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes and extracts, essences and concentrates thereof. 21033040............................. Prepared mustard. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Products of France, the Federal Republic of Germany, or Italy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20021000............................. Tomatoes, whole or in pieces, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Products of France or the Federal Republic of Germany ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 05040000............................. Guts, bladders and stomachs of animals (other than fish), whole and pieces thereof, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, in brine, dried or smoked 21041000............................. Soups and broths and preparations therefor. 55101100............................. Yarn (other than sewing thread) containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibers, singles, not put up for retail sale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Products of France ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 02101100............................. Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof with bone in, salted, in brine, dried or smoked. 15050090............................. Fatty substances derived from wool grease (including lanolin). 18063100............................. Chocolate and other cocoa preparations, in blocks, slabs or bars, filled, weighing not more than 2 kg. 20079905............................. Lingonberry and raspberry jams obtained by cooking. 35061050............................. Products suitable for use as glues or adhesives, put up for retail sale, not exceeding 1 kg, including fish glue, but not other animal glue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [[Page 95729]] [FR Doc. 2016-31352 Filed 12-27-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3290-F7-P
![95724 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 28, 2016 / Notices
selecting ‘‘Notice’’ under ‘‘Document comments. The non-business submit written comments and requests
Type’’ on the left side of the search- confidential version will be placed in to appear at the hearing, which must
results page, and click on the link the docket at www.regulations.gov and include a summary of testimony.
entitled ‘‘Comment Now!.’’ USTR be available for public inspection. Wednesday, February 15, 2017: The
requests that you provide comments in As noted, USTR strongly urges Section 301 Committee will convene a
an attached document, and that you commenters to submit comments public hearing in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724
name the file according to the following through www.regulations.gov. Any F Street NW., Washington, DC 20508,
protocol, as appropriate: Commenter alternative arrangements must be made beginning at 9:30 a.m. If necessary, the
Name, or Organization_2017 Special before transmitting a comment and in hearing may continue on the next
301_Review_Comment, or Notice of advance of the relevant deadline by business day.
Intent to Testify or Hearing Testimony. contacting USTR at Special301@ Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at
Please include the following ustr.eop.gov. 11:59 p.m.: Deadline for submission of
information in the ‘Type Comment’’ Comments will be placed in the post-hearing rebuttal comments.
field: ‘‘2017 Special 301 Review’’ and docket and open to public inspection, ADDRESSES: All written comments,
whether the submission is a comment, except business confidential requests to appear at the hearing,
a request to testify at the hearing, or information. Comments may be viewed hearing summaries, and rebuttal
hearing testimony. Please submit on the www.regulations.gov Web site by comments must be in English and
documents prepared in (or compatible entering Docket Number USTR–2016– submitted electronically via the Federal
with) Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe 0026 in the ‘‘Search’’ field on the home eRulemaking Portal: http://
Acrobat (.pdf) formats. If the submission page. www.regulations.gov. Follow the
was prepared in a compatible format, Probir Mehta, instructions for submitting comments in
please indicate the name of the relevant Assistant United States Trade Representative section E below.
software application in the ‘‘Type for Innovation and Intellectual Property FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Comment’’ field. For further information Office of the United States Trade procedural questions concerning written
on using the www.regulations.gov Web Representative. comments or participating in the public
site, please select ‘‘How to Use [FR Doc. 2016–31379 Filed 12–27–16; 8:45 am] hearing, contact Gwendolyn Diggs at
Regulations.gov’’ on the bottom of any BILLING CODE 3290–F7–P (202) 395–3150. For questions on the
page. Please do not attach separate cover EU-Beef matter, contact Roger Wentzel,
letters to electronic submissions; rather, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade
include any information that might OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES Representative for Agricultural Affairs,
appear in a cover letter in the comments TRADE REPRESENTATIVE (202) 395–6127, or David Weiner,
themselves. Similarly, to the extent [Docket No. USTR–2016–0025] Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade
possible, please include any exhibits, Representative for Europe, (202) 395–
annexes, or other attachments in the Public Comments and Hearing 3320. Direct all other questions
same file as the comment itself, rather Regarding Request To Reinstate regarding this notice to William Busis,
than submitting them as separate files. Action Taken in Connection With the Associate General Counsel and Chair of
For any comments submitted European Union’s Measures the Section 301 Committee, (202) 395–
electronically that contains business Concerning Meat and Meat Products 3150, or Katherine Linton, Assistant
confidential information, the file name General Counsel, at (202) 395–3150.
of the business confidential version AGENCY: Office of the United States
Trade Representative. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
should begin with the characters ‘‘BC’’.
Any page containing business ACTION: Notice of public hearing and A. The EU-Beef Matter
confidential information must be clearly request for comments.
The EU bans the import of beef and
marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ SUMMARY: The interagency Section 301 beef products produced from animals to
on the top of that page and the Committee is holding a public hearing which any of six hormones have been
submission should clearly indicate, via and seeking public comments to assist administered for growth-promotion
brackets, highlighting, or other means, the United States Trade Representative purposes. The six hormones at issue are
the specific information that is business (Trade Representative) in connection estradiol 17–b, testosterone,
confidential. A filer requesting business with the request of representatives of progesterone, zeranol, trenbolone
confidential treatment must certify that the U.S. beef industry to reinstate action acetate (TBA) and melengestrol acetate
the information is business confidential against the European Union (EU) (MGA). The effect of the EU ban is to
and would not customarily be released pursuant to Section 306(c) of the 1974 prohibit the import of all but specially-
to the public by the submitter. Trade Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. produced U.S. beef and beef products.
Additionally, the submitter should type 2416(c)). Prior to reinstating trade In February 1998, the WTO Dispute
‘‘Business Confidential’’ in the ‘‘Type action, the Office of the United States Settlement Body (DSB) in the EU-Beef
Comment’’ field. Trade Representative (USTR) will case found that the ban was inconsistent
Filers of comments containing conduct a review of the effectiveness of with the obligations of the European
business confidential information also such an action, and of other actions that Communities (now the EU) under the
must submit a public version of their could be taken (including actions WTO Agreement. In July 1999, a WTO
comments. The file name of the public against other products), in achieving the arbitrator determined that the EU import
version should begin with the character objectives of Section 301 of this title (19 ban on U.S. beef and beef products had
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
‘‘P’’. The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be U.S.C. 2411); and the effects of such nullified or impaired U.S. benefits
followed by the name of the person or actions on the United States economy, under the WTO Agreement in the
entity submitting the comments. Filers including consumers. amount of $116.8 million each year. On
submitting comments containing no DATES: The schedule and deadlines are July 26, 1999, the DSB authorized the
business confidential information as follows: United States to suspend the application
should name their file using the name Monday, January 30, 2017 at 11:59 to the EU, and member States thereof, of
of the person or entity submitting the p.m.: Deadline for interested persons to WTO tariff concessions and related
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 28, 2016 / Notices 95729
[FR Doc. 2016–31352 Filed 12–27–16; 8:45 am] the Office of Management and Budget required to submit to MARAD on an
BILLING CODE 3290–F7–P (OMB) approval to renew an annual basis the form of affidavit
information collection. We are required prescribed by Part 355 or Part 356.
to publish this notice in the Federal Number of Respondents: 500.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Register by the Paperwork Reduction Frequency: Once annually.
Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Estimated Average Burden per
Federal Motor Carrier Safety DATES: Written comments should be Response: 5 hours.
Administration submitted by February 27, 2017. Total Annual Burden: 2500.
Public Comments Invited: You are
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
Sunshine Act Meetings; Unified Carrier asked to comment on any aspect of this
identified by Docket No. MARAD– information collection, including (a)
Registration Plan Board of Directors
2016–0131 through one of the following Whether the proposed collection of
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety methods: information is necessary for the
Administration (FMCSA), DOT. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
Department’s performance; (b) the
ACTION: Notice of Unified Carrier
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
accuracy of the estimated burden; (c)
Registration Plan Board of Directors instructions for submitting comments.
ways for the Department to enhance the
meeting. • Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket
quality, utility and clarity of the
Management Facility, U.S. Department
information collection; and (d) ways
SUMMARY: The Unified Carrier of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
that the burden could be minimized
Registration Plan Board of Directors (the Avenue SE., West Building, Room W12–
without reducing the quality of the
Board) will continue its work in 140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9
collected information. The agency will
developing and implementing the a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
summarize and/or include your
Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Friday, except on Federal holidays.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251. comments in the request for OMB’s
Agreement and to that end, may clearance of this information collection.
consider matters properly before the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5
Board. Michael Pucci, 202–366–5167, Office of U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
Maritime Program, Maritime from the public to better inform its
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Administration, 1200 New Jersey rulemaking process. DOT posts these
February 7, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, comments, without edit, to
12:00 noon Pacific Standard Time.
Email: Michael.Pucci@dot.gov. Copies of www.regulations.gov, as described in
ADDRESSES: The meetings will be open this collection also can be obtained from
to the public at the Courtyard by the system of records notice, DOT/ALL–
that office. 14 FDMS, accessible through
Marriott Downtown, 530 Broadway, San
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: www.dot.gov/privacy. In order to
Diego, CA 92101, and via conference OMB Control Number: 2133–0012.
call. Those not attending the meetings facilitate comment tracking and
Title: Requirements for Establishing response, we encourage commenters to
in person may call 1–877–422–1931, U.S. Citizenship—46 CFR 355.
passcode 2855443940, to listen and provide their name, or the name of their
Form Numbers: organization; however, submission of
participate in the meetings. Type of Review: Renewal of an names is completely optional. Whether
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. information collection. or not commenters identify themselves,
Avelino Gutierrez, Chair, Unified Background: Maritime Administration
all timely comments will be fully
Carrier Registration Board of Directors at implementing regulations at 46 CFR
considered. If you wish to provide
(505) 827–4565. parts 355 and 356 set forth requirements
comments containing proprietary or
Issued on: December 19, 2016. for establishing U.S. citizenship in
confidential information, please contact
Larry W. Minor, accordance with MARAD statutory
the agency for alternate submission
authority. Those receiving benefits
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy, instructions.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. under 46 U.S.C. Chapters 531, 535, and
537 (formerly the Merchant Marine Act, Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act
[FR Doc. 2016–31551 Filed 12–23–16; 4:15 pm] of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended;
1936, as amended), or applicants
BILLING CODE P and 49 CFR 1.93.
seeking a fishery endorsement eligibility
approval pursuant to the American * * * * *
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fisheries Act must be citizens of the Dated: December 22, 2016.
United States within the meaning of 46 By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Maritime Administration U.S.C. 50501, (formerly Section 2 of the T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Shipping Act, 1916, as amended). In Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[Docket No. MARAD–2016–0131] either case, whether seeking program
[FR Doc. 2016–31330 Filed 12–27–16; 8:45 am]
benefits or fishery endorsement
Agency Request for Renewal of a BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
eligibility, Section 50501 sets forth the
Previously Approved Information
statutory requirements for determining
Collection: Requirements for
whether an applicant, be it a DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Establishing U.S. Citizenship—46 CFR
corporation, partnership, or association
355
is a U.S. citizen. 46 CFR part 356 is National Highway Traffic Safety
distinguished from 46 CFR part 355 in
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Administration
Department of Transportation. that Part 356 establishes requirements
for U.S. citizenship exclusively in [Docket No. NHTSA–2016–0131]
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments accordance with the AFA while Part 355
Reports, Forms and Record Keeping
is applied for purposes of establishing
Requirements
SUMMARY: The Department of citizenship across multiple MARAD
Transportation (DOT) invites public programs arising under other statutory AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
comments about our intention to request authority. Most program participants are Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:54 Dec 27, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00175 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM 28DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_95973/page/6.svg)
Document Created: 2016-12-28 02:17:13
Document Modified: 2016-12-28 02:17:13
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of public hearing and request for comments. | |
| Dates | The schedule and deadlines are as follows: | |
| Contact | For procedural questions concerning written comments or participating in the public hearing, contact Gwendolyn Diggs at (202) 395-3150. For questions on the EU-Beef matter, contact Roger Wentzel, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs, (202) 395-6127, or David Weiner, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe, (202) 395-3320. Direct all other questions regarding this notice to William Busis, Associate General Counsel and Chair of the Section 301 Committee, (202) 395-3150, or Katherine Linton, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 395-3150. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 95724 |
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