ITC TO INVESTIGATE EU POLICIES AFFECTING U.S. HORTICULTURAL TRADE

ITC TO INVESTIGATE EU POLICIES AFFECTING U.S. HORTICULTURAL TRADE    The U.S. International Trade Commission said it will conduct a    “factfinding” investigation into the effects that European Union policies have on the U.S. horticultural industry’s global competitiveness.
   The investigation, The Effects of EU Policies on the Competitive Position of the U.S. and EU Horticultural Products Sectors (Inv. No. 332-423), was requested by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, which is preparing for negotiations in the World Trade Organization on agricultural trade reforms.
   The ITC’s report will provide information about EU policies and programs that may enhance the competitiveness of EU producers and exporters, including domestic support commitments and export subsidies reports the WTO, the EU entry price system, the producer organization system, and EU tariffs.
   Specific horticultural products considered in the study are citrus, deciduous fruit, dried prunes, tree nuts, tomatoes and wine.
   The report will be submitted to the USTR by Dec. 1, 2001. The ITC would like to receive industry feedback for its study by March 1. A public meeting about the study will be held at the ITC’s Washington headquarters on April 26.