USITC WILL CONDUCT FULL FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEWS CONCERNING BRASS SHEET AND STRIP FROM FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, AND JAPAN.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. International Trade Commission:

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) has voted to conduct full five- year ("sunset") reviews concerning the antidumping duty orders on brass sheet and strip from France, Germany, Italy, and Japan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-313, 314, 317, and 379 (Third Review)).

As a result of these votes, the Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of these orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission's notice of institution in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file with the Commission responses that discuss the likely effects of revoking the order under review and provide other pertinent information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

With regard to France, Italy, and Japan, all six Commissioners found that the domestic group responses were adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate, but that circumstances warranted full reviews.

With regard to Germany, all six Commissioners found that the both the domestic group response and the respondent group responses were adequate and voted for a full review.

A record of the Commission's votes on these matters is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The record of the Commission's votes is also posted on the USITC's Internet site at http://info.usitc.gov/oinv/sunset.NSF (under "Brass Sheet and Strip - France," "Brass Sheet and Strip - Germany," "Brass Sheet and Strip - Italy," and "Brass Sheet and Strip - Japan").

The Federal Register notice will indicate whether any further information or statements will be available. The Commission will issue a report after it completes its reviews.