72 FR 241 pg. 71377 - Extension of Period of Determination for Textile and Apparel Safeguard Action on Imports from Honduras of Cotton, Wool and Man-Made Fiber Socks

Type: NOTICEVolume: 72Number: 241Page: 71377
FR document: [FR Doc. E7-24370 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
Agency: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
Official PDF Version:  PDF Version

COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS

Extension of Period of Determination for Textile and Apparel Safeguard Action on Imports from Honduras of Cotton, Wool and Man-Made Fiber Socks

December 11, 2007.

AGENCY:

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (the Committee)

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Committee is extending through January 18, 2008 the period for making a determination on whether to request consultations with Honduras regarding imports of cotton, wool and man-made fiber socks (merged Category 332/432 and 632 part).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sergio Botero, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-2487.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority:

Title III, Subtitle B, Section 321 through Section 328 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement ("CAFTA-DR" or the "Agreement") Implementation Act; Article 3.23 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement.

BACKGROUND:

In accordance with section 4 of the Committee's Procedures ("Procedures") for considering action under the CAFTA-DR textile and apparel safeguard, (71 FR 25157, April 28, 2006), the Committee decided, on its own initiative, to consider whether imports of Honduran origin cotton, wool and man-made fiber socks are being imported into the United States in such increased quantities, in absolute terms or relative to the domestic market for cotton, wool and man-made fiber socks, and under such conditions as to cause serious damage, or actual threat thereof, to the U.S. industry producing these products.

On August 21, 2007 the Committee solicited public comments regarding a possible safeguard action on imports from Honduras of cotton, wool and man-made fiber socks (merged Category 332/432 and 632 part). This 30 day period allowed the public an opportunity to provide information and analysis to assist the Committee in considering this issue and in determining whether a safeguard action is appropriate. See Solicitation of Public Comments Regarding Possible Safeguard Action on Imports from Honduras of Cotton, Wool and Man-Made Fiber Socks , 72 FR 46611.

The Procedures state that the Committee will make a determination within 60 calendar days of the close of the public comment period as to whether the United States will request consultations with Honduras. However, if the Committee is unable to make a determination within 60 calendar days, it will cause to be published a notice in the Federal Register, including the date, by which it will make a determination.

The original 60-day determination period for this case expired on November 19, 2007. On November 6, 2007, the Committee decided to extend the deadline for making its determination until December 19, 2007. (72 FR 64050, November 14, 2007). At this time, the Committee is unable to make a determination within the extended period because it is continuing to evaluate conditions in the market as well as examining the current trade data and other relevant information available. Therefore, the Committee is further extending the determination period to January 18, 2008.

R. Matthew Priest,

Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

[FR Doc. E7-24370 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]

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