International Trade Law News

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today announced procedures for submitting written comments concerning the impact of last December's tsunami on the shrimp industries of India and Thailand. The ITC has invited comments from the public, including but not limited to interested parties, on whether changed circumstances exist sufficient to warrant review of its January 6, 2005 affirmative injury determinations in its antidumping investigations Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from India and Thailand.

Comments submitted to the ITC should address the impact of the tsunami on the ability of the shrimp industries in India and Thailand to produce and export shrimp to the United States. This information may include, but is not necessarily limited to, an analysis of the condition of shrimp hatcheries, ponds, fishing fleet, and processing and storage facilities post-tsunami; estimates of the share of the countries' historical production that has been impacted by the tsunami; estimates of the cost and time required to repair, restock, or rebuild any damaged or destroyed production, storage, or transportation infrastructure; and any data on current inventories of shrimp in these countries which may be exported to the United States. Comments must be filed with the ITC no later than March 25, 2005. The ITC plans to make its determinations regarding institution of review investigations within 30 days of the close of the comment period.