Canned Peaches from the European Union: Initiation Summary
[ Last Updated 24 January 2006 ]
8 January 2003
Contents
Type of Investigation
Subsidy Review
Description of Goods
Peaches (halves, slices, and pieces) packed in retail sized cans
Country of Origin
The European Union
Investigation "Milestones"
| Date of Initiation: | 8 January 2003 |
| Earliest date on which Provisional Measures may be imposed:1 | |
| Latest date for release of Interim Report:2 | 6 June 2003 |
| Latest date for completion of review by the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Economic Development: | 6 July 2003 |
Summary of Factors Leading to Initiation
Background
Countervailing duties were imposed on canned peaches from the European Union by the Minister of Commerce on 9 January 1998. A notice to this effect was published in the New Zealand Gazette of 22 January 1998.
On 16 April 2000 the Acting Minister of Commerce reassessed the rate of countervailing duty to set a separate rate of duty for a new exporter. The other rates of duty imposed in 1998 remained unchanged. A notice of the reassessment was published in the New Zealand Gazette of 20 April 2000.
The current countervailing duties are in the form of ad valorem percentages. There are separate rates for three Greek exporters and two Spanish exporters. There are also separate rates of duty for "other" Greek exporters, "other" Spanish exporters and "other" exporters from European Union (EU) countries other than Greece and Spain.
Reason for the Review
The countervailing duty would have expired on 9 January 2003 if a review had not been initiated before that date, as five years had passed since the duties were imposed. The review was initiated at the request of the only New Zealand producer of canned peaches, Heinz Wattie's, who provided positive evidence sufficient to justify the initiation of a review.
The purpose of the review is to establish whether the expiry of the duty would be likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of subsidisation and material injury.
Further details of the background relating to countervailing duty on canned peaches from the European Union and the reasons for the review, are contained in the Initiation Memorandum which is available from this site.
Review Process
Submissions are being sought from parties known to have an interest in this review, including known exporters and producers in the European Union, importers and the New Zealand industry. These submissions will be examined and analysed by the review team. The outcome of this examination and analysis will then be reported, with recommendations, to the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Notes
Importers of canned peaches from the European Union of the type described above should note that the countervailing duty will continue to apply to these goods for the duration of the review.
If the review establishes that there is a continued need for countervailing duties, then a reassessment of the existing duties may be initiated on the completion of the review to establish the appropriate duty rate or amount and the method by which the duties are imposed. Any reassessment will draw on the results of the review.
Further Information
Any queries or requests for further information should be directed to the review team at the Trade Remedies Group on telephone 64-4-470 2273 (Robin Hill) or 64-4-470 2272 (Kelvin Davidson), or facsimile 64-4-499 8508. Enquiries by e-mail should be directed to robin.hill@med.govt.nz or kelvin.davidson@med.govt.nz.
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