ITC Probing Lamb Relief Effectiveness

February 6, 2002

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is initiating an investigation into the effectiveness of the relief action imposed by President Clinton on imports of fresh, chilled and frozen lamb meat. The tariff rate quota ended Nov. 15.

In response to a petition from the domestic lamb industry, President Clinton imposed the relief action on July 7, 1999, in the form of a TRQ which was intended to constrain rapidly rising imports of lamb. The TRQ was scheduled to continue for three years and one day.

However the TRQ was lifted Nov. 15 after the World Trade Organization upheld complaints from Australia and New Zealand that the U.S. action violated international trade rules. U.S. law requires that the USITC, following the termination of a relief action, evaluate the effectiveness of the action in helping the domestic industry adjust to import competition.

The Commission must submit its report to the President and the Congress by mid-May. View the USITC notice at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-2072-filed.