The U.S. International Trade Commission has recommended that President Clinton impose a tariff-rate quota on lamb imports over four years.  The action could affect imports from Australia and New Zealand; Canada, Mexico, Israel and the Caribbean Basin countries are not affected by the decision.

ITC recommended that a tariff rate quota be set at 20% ad valorem on lamb meat imports greater than 78 million pounds, carcass weight equivalent in the first year; 17.5% for imports greater than 81.5 million pounds in the second year; 15% on imports greater than 81.5 million pounds in the third year, and at 10% ad valorem on imports greater than 81.5 million pounds in the fourth year.

Vice Chair Marcia E. Miller and Commissioner Jennifer A. Hillman said they will recommend that the president impose an increase in the tariff rate applied to imported lamb meat over four years so that imports will be subject to a "dutiable rate" of 22% ad valorem in the first year, 20% in the second, 15% in the third and 10% in the fourth year.

Commissioner Stephen Koplan will recommend that a four-year quantitative restriction be imposed: 52 million pounds in the first year, 56 million in the second year, 61 million in the third year and 70 million in the fourth year.

The restriction, according to Koplan, should be allocated country by country with separate allocations for Australia, New Zealand and all other countries in proportion to their average share of imports into the United States during calendar 1995 through 1997.