[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 25069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12012]



[[Page 25069]]

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-393]


Ammonium Nitrate: A Comparative Analysis of Factors Affecting 
Global Trade

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: April 27, 1998.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on April 2, 1998, from the 
Senate Committee on Finance, the Commission instituted investigation 
No. 332-393, Ammonium Nitrate: A Comparative Analysis of Factors 
Affecting Global Trade, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 
(19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be 
obtained from Ms. Elizabeth Nesbitt (202-205-3355), Office of 
Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. 
For information on the legal aspects of this investigation contact Mr. 
William Gearhart of the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). 
Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810.

Background:

    In its report, the Commission will, as requested by the Committee 
in its letter, provide a comparative analysis of factors affecting 
global trade in ammonium nitrate, with special emphasis on the 
industries in the United States, the European Union, and Russia. As 
requested, the Commission will provide the following information, to 
the extent information is available, with data presented for the most 
recent five-year period, or except as noted:
    <bullet> An overview of the world ammonium nitrate market, 
including examination of consumption (for the most recent 10-year 
period), import, and export trends, and information on future 
consumption in the major markets;
    <bullet> Industry profiles of the principal manufacturers and 
traders, their pattern of ownership and investment, including the 
extent to which government programs may affect production and may 
impede trade in ammonium nitrate between the specified countries. 
Examples of such programs cited by the Committee are farm policies, 
industrial policies, economic policies, trade policies, and other 
governmental measures that may affect the cost of raw materials and 
transportation;
    <bullet> An overview of the ammonium nitrate production process, 
with information on costs of production, including those of its major 
raw material components, and the principal sources of these feedstocks; 
and
    <bullet> Information on trends in domestic and export prices of 
ammonium nitrate.
    In its request letter the Committee noted that the United States is 
a major producer and consumer of nitrogenous fertilizers, including 
urea and ammonium nitrate. The Committee stated that it has recently 
come to its attention that U.S. ammonium nitrate producers have 
concerns about competitive conditions affecting their industry, 
including increased imports of ammonium nitrate from Russia. The 
producers believe that these increased imports are the indirect result 
of the European Union's (EU) imposition of an antidumping order in 1995 
on EU imports of ammonium nitrate from Russia. The letter continues by 
stating that moreover, the producers are concerned about additional 
imports of Russian ammonium nitrate into the United States as a result 
of the EU's recent institution of a review of the original order.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on June 16, 1998. All persons 
shall have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present 
information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing 
should be filed with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 
p.m., June 2, 1998. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., June 4, 1998; the deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., June 30, 
1998. In the event that, as of the close of business on June 2, 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 non-participant may call the Secretary of the Commission (202-205-
1816) after June 2, 1998, to determine whether the hearing will be 
held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, 
interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning 
the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this 
investigation. Commercial or financial information that a submitter 
desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on 
separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked ``Confidential Business 
Information'' at the top. All submissions requesting confidential 
treatment must conform with the requirements of section Sec. 201.6 of 
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All 
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will 
be made available in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date 
and should be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 30, 1998. All 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
    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. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(http://www.usitc.gov).

List of Subjects

    Ammonium nitrate, ammonia, natural gas, urea.

    Issued: April 28, 1998.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-12012 Filed 5-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P