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The Office of the United States Trade Representative

USTR Extends Section 301 Investigation on Canadian Wheat
Contact: Richard Mills (202) 395-3230 10/16/2001


WASHINGTON - United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick announced today that he was granting the request of the North Dakota Wheat Commission to extend the ongoing investigation of Canadian wheat marketing practices by 90 days.

"The Administration is committed to ensuring fair treatment for U.S. farmers, and this investigation addresses important issues concerning Canadian Wheat Board sales practices," said Ambassador Zoellick. "The extension requested by the North Dakota Wheat Commission will ensure that we have sufficient time to review and analyze all of the information developed in the investigation."

The investigation, which was initiated in October 2000 under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, is based on a petition filed by the North Dakota Wheat Commission alleging that unfair marketing practices of the Government of Canada and the Canadian Wheat Board are harming U.S. wheat producers. In March of this year, Ambassador Zoellick asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to assist in the investigation by preparing a report on conditions of competition between the U.S. and Canadian wheat industries. The ITC is currently scheduled to issue its report on November 1.

The Canadian wheat investigation was originally scheduled to conclude by October 23, 2001. The North Dakota Wheat Commission, however, requested an extension for 90 days, or until January 22, 2002.

An official notice of the extension will be published in the Federal Register.