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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
June 1, 2001
Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination on Honey from Argentina and the People’s Republic of China
On May 11, 2001, the Department of Commerce preliminarily determined that honey from the People's Republic of China and Argentina is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value. Commerce made its affirmative determination on dumping margins and has provided cash deposit instructions to Customs for honey imported from Argentina and China. Commerce's final determination is scheduled to be issued July 2001. Prior to the final decision, Commerce/International Trade Administration staff is scheduled to travel to Argentina and China for additional fact finding. The petitioners in the anti-dumping investigations are the American Honey Producers Association and the Sioux Honey Association. U.S. imports of honey from Argentina and China accounted for 48 and 25 percent, respectively, of the $89.5 million in total honey imports recorded in CY 2000.
U.S. and Japan Reach Agreement on Certification of Organic Ingredients
On May 23, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) agreed that USDA may accredit organizations under its ISO Guide 65 program as capable of certifying to Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) for organic products. Organizations accredited by USDA will be permitted to certify organic products to JAS standards for use as ingredients. Only manufacturers certified by MAFF-registered certifying organizations (RCOs) may use these ingredients in finished products marketed as "organic" in Japan. This is an interim measure designed to facilitate trade as USDA and MAFF continue negotiations on equivalency between the U.S. National Organic Program and JAS. The measure will expire on March 31, 2002, or upon implementation of an equivalency agreement, whichever comes first.
Organic ingredients reportedly account for more than half of the estimated $100 million in U.S. exports of organic products to Japan. The agreement is expected to help facilitate trade in processed ingredients such as juice concentrates, frozen fruits and vegetables, sauces, and pastes, as well as bulk commodities including soybeans and wheat.
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