Notice2024-04649
Rice: Global Competitiveness and Impacts on Trade and the U.S. Industry
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 6, 2024
Issuing agencies
International Trade Commission
Abstract
Following receipt on February 5, 2024, of a request from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means (Committee) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted Investigation No. 332-603, Rice: Global Competitiveness and Impacts on Trade and the U.S. Industry. The Committee requested that the Commission conduct an investigation and produce a report on the global competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16027-16029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04649]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-603]
Rice: Global Competitiveness and Impacts on Trade and the U.S.
Industry
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice of investigation and scheduling of a public hearing.
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SUMMARY: Following receipt on February 5, 2024, of a request from the
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means (Committee)
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the U.S. International
Trade Commission (Commission) instituted Investigation No. 332-603,
Rice: Global Competitiveness and Impacts on Trade and the U.S.
Industry. The Committee requested that the Commission conduct an
investigation and produce a report on the global competitiveness of the
U.S. rice industry.
DATES:
April 8, 2024: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the public
hearing.
April 11, 2024: Deadline for filing prehearing briefs and
statements.
April 22, 2024: Deadline for filing electronic copies of oral
hearing statements.
April 30, 2024: Public hearing.
May 22, 2024: Deadline for filing posthearing briefs.
July 12, 2024: Deadline for filing all other written submissions.
March 5, 2025: Transmittal of Commission report to the Committee.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing
rooms, are located in the U.S. International Trade Commission Building,
500 E Street SW, Washington, DC. All written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The public record for this
investigation may be viewed on the Commission's
[[Page 16028]]
electronic docket (EDIS) at <a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader Renee Berry (202-205-
3498 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fd8f98939898d39f988f8f84bd888e94899ed39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84f6e1eae1e1aae6e1f6f6fdc4f1f7edf0e7aae3ebf2">[email protected]</span></a>) or Deputy Project Leaders Patrick Crotty
(202-205-2224 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#34445540465d575f1a57465b40404d7441475d40571a535b42"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3848594c4a515b53165b4a574c4c41784d4b514c5b165f574e">[email protected]</span></a>) and Tyler Daun (202-205-3329
or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#47333e2b223569232632290732342e332469202831"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3d7dacfc6d18dc7c2d6cde3d6d0cad7c08dc4ccd5">[email protected]</span></a>) for information specific to this
investigation. For information on the legal aspects of this
investigation, contact Brian Allen (202-205-3034 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4220302b232c6c232e2e272c0237312b36216c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="395b4b505857175855555c57794c4a504d5a175e564f">[email protected]</span></a>) or William Gearhart (202-205-3091 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c2b353030353d31723b393d2e343d2e281c292f35283f723b332a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c0b7a9acaca9a1adeea7a5a1b2a8a1b2b480b5b3a9b4a3eea7afb6">[email protected]</span></a>) of the Commission's Office of the General
Counsel. The media should contact Jennifer Andberg, Office of External
Relations (202-205-3404 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e68c8388888f808394c887888284839481a693958f9285c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f09a959e9e99969582de919e9492958297b08583998493de979f86">[email protected]</span></a>). Hearing-
impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be
obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810.
General information concerning the Commission may be obtained by
accessing its internet address (<a href="https://www.usitc.gov">https://www.usitc.gov</a>). Persons with
mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access
to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-
205-2000.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: As requested by the Committee, the Commission has
instituted an investigation under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) to produce a report on the global
competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry. This report will contain
updates to the Commission's 2015 report on the same topic (Rice: Global
Competitiveness of the U.S. Industry, Pub. 4530) where significant
changes have been observed during the 2018 to 2023 period.
Specifically, the report will contain:
<bullet> information on recent developments in the rice industries
in the United States and other major global producing and exporting
countries, such as Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia,
Pakistan, Paraguay, Thailand, Uruguay, and Vietnam;
<bullet> information on recent trade trends and developments in the
global market for rice, including U.S. and major foreign supplier
imports and exports;
<bullet> a comparison of the competitive strengths and weaknesses
of rice production in and exports from the United States and other
major exporting countries, focusing on factors affecting delivered
cost, product differentiation, and reliability of supply, as well as
government policies and programs that directly or indirectly affect
rice production and exporting in these countries;
<bullet> a qualitative and, to the extent possible, quantitative
assessment of the impact of government policies and programs, including
public stockholding programs and export restrictions, of major
producing and exporting countries on U.S. rice production, product
revenues and profits, consumption, trade, and prices, as well as on
food security in developing countries; and
<bullet> an overview of the impact on the U.S. rice industry of
exports of rice from the highlighted countries to the United States and
to traditional export markets of the United States.
As requested by the Committee, the Commission will deliver the
report no later than March 5, 2025. The Committee asked that the
Commission not include confidential business or national security
classified information in its report. However, as detailed below,
participants may submit confidential information to the Commission to
inform its understanding of these issues, and such information will be
protected in accordance with the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure. Participants are strongly encouraged to provide any
supporting data and information along with their views.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this
investigation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m., April 30, 2024, in
the Main Hearing Room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The hearing can also be accessed
remotely using the WebEx videoconference platform. A link to the
hearing will be posted on the Commission's website at <a href="https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html">https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html</a>.
Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed with the
Secretary to the Commission no later than 5:15 p.m., April 8, 2024, in
accordance with the requirements in the ``Written Submissions'' section
below. Any requests to appear as a witness via videoconference must be
included with your request to appear. Requests to appear as a witness
via videoconference must include a statement explaining why the witness
cannot appear in person; the Chairman, or other person designated to
conduct the investigation, may at their discretion for good cause
shown, grant such requests. Requests to appear as a witness via
videoconference due to illness or a positive COVID-19 test result may
be submitted by 3 p.m. the business day prior to the hearing.
All prehearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than
5:15 p.m., April 11, 2024. To facilitate the hearing, including the
preparation of an accurate written public transcript of the hearing,
oral testimony to be presented at the hearing must be submitted to the
Commission electronically no later than noon, April 22, 2024. All
posthearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than 5:15
p.m., May 22, 2024. Posthearing briefs and statements should address
matters raised at the hearing. For a description of the different types
of written briefs and statements, see the ``Definitions'' section
below. In the event that, as of the close of business on April 8, 2024,
no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will
be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an
observer or nonparticipant should check the Commission website as
indicated above for information concerning whether the hearing will be
held.
Written submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in
the hearing, interested persons are invited to file written submissions
concerning this investigation. All written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary, and should be received no later than 5:15
p.m., July 12, 2024. All written submissions must conform to the
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8), as temporarily amended by 85 FR 15798 (March
19, 2020). Under that rule waiver, the Office of the Secretary will
accept only electronic filings at this time. Filings must be made
through the Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS,
<a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>). No in-person paper-based filings or paper
copies of any electronic filings will be accepted until further notice.
Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the
Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division (202-205-1802), or
consult the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures.
Definitions of types of documents that may be filed; Requirements:
In addition to requests to appear at the hearing, this notice provides
for the possible filing of four types of documents: prehearing briefs,
oral hearing statements, posthearing briefs, and other written
submissions.
(1) Prehearing briefs refers to written materials relevant to the
investigation and submitted in advance of the hearing, and includes
written views on matters that are the subject of the investigation,
supporting materials, and any other written materials that you
[[Page 16029]]
consider will help the Commission in understanding your views. You
should file a prehearing brief particularly if you plan to testify at
the hearing on behalf of an industry group, company, or other
organization, and wish to provide detailed views or information that
will support or supplement your testimony.
(2) Oral hearing statements (testimony) refers to the actual oral
statement that you intend to present at the hearing. Do not include any
confidential business information (CBI) in that statement. If you plan
to testify, you must file a copy of your oral statement by the date
specified in this notice. This statement will allow Commissioners to
understand your position in advance of the hearing and will also assist
the court reporter in preparing an accurate transcript of the hearing
(e.g., names spelled correctly).
(3) Posthearing briefs refers to submissions filed after the
hearing by persons who appeared at the hearing. Such briefs: (a) should
be limited to matters that arose during the hearing; (b) should respond
to any Commissioner and staff questions addressed to you at the
hearing; (c) should clarify, amplify, or correct any statements you
made at the hearing; and (d) may, at your option, address or rebut
statements made by other participants in the hearing.
(4) Other written submissions refers to any other written
submissions that interested persons wish to make, regardless of whether
they appeared at the hearing, and may include new information or
updates of information previously provided.
In accordance with the provisions of section 201.8 of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8) the
document must identify on its cover (1) the investigation number and
title and the type of document filed (i.e., prehearing brief, oral
statement of (name), posthearing brief, or written submission), (2) the
name and signature of the person filing it, (3) the name of the
organization that the submission is filed on behalf of, and (4) whether
it contains CBI. If it contains CBI, it must comply with the marking
and other requirements set out below in this notice relating to CBI.
Submitters of written documents (other than oral hearing statements)
are encouraged to include a short summary of their position or interest
at the beginning of the document, and a table of contents when the
document addresses multiple issues.
Confidential business information: Any submissions that contain CBI
must also conform to the requirements of section 201.6 of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section
201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of the document and the
individual pages be clearly marked as to whether they are the
``confidential'' or ``nonconfidential'' version, and that the CBI is
clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions,
except for CBI, will be made available for inspection by interested
persons.
As requested by the Committee, the Commission will not include any
CBI in its report. However, all information, including CBI, submitted
in this investigation may be disclosed to and used by: (i) the
Commission, its employees and offices, and contract personnel (a) for
developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding,
or (b) in internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations
relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission,
including under 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3; or (ii) U.S. Government employees
and contract personnel for cybersecurity purposes. The Commission will
not otherwise disclose any CBI in a way that would reveal the
operations of the firm supplying the information.
Summaries of written submissions: Persons wishing to have a summary
of their position included in the report should include a summary with
their written submission on or before July 12, 2024, and should mark
the summary as having been provided for that purpose. The summary
should be clearly marked as ``summary for inclusion in the report'' at
the top of the page. The summary may not exceed 500 words and should
not include any CBI. The summary will be published as provided if it
meets these requirements and is germane to the subject matter of the
investigation. The Commission will list the name of the organization
furnishing the summary and will include a link where the written
submission can be found.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: February 29, 2024.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024-04649 Filed 3-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
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