AGENCY:
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce
DATES:
Applicable February 4, 2020.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Commerce (Commerce) hereby notifies the public and members of the trade community of the implementation of the inspection program established by Section VII.C of the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Duty Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico (2019 Suspension Agreement). Implementation of the Section VII.C inspection program will begin 60 days from the date of publication of this notice. Beginning 60 days from the date of publication of this notice, certain fresh tomatoes from Mexico shall be subject to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection for quality and condition defects.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally C. Gannon or David Cordell at (202) 482-0162 or (202) 482-0408, respectively; Bilateral Agreements Unit, Office of Policy, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On September 19, 2019, Commerce and signatory producers/exporters accounting for substantially all imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico signed the 2019 Suspension Agreement.[1] Section VII.C of the 2019 Suspension Agreement states: “Beginning approximately (and no less than) six months from the Effective Date of the Agreement, all loads of subject merchandise, as specified in paragraph 2 of this section, shall be subject to a USDA inspection for quality and condition defects near the border after entering the United States. Commerce will consult with USDA on the development and implementation of the inspection program. The trade community will have at least 60 days' Start Printed Page 6144 advance notice prior to implementation of the inspection program.” [2] More →
