UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
`
`WASHINGTON. D.C. 20436
`July 19, 2000
`
`The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings
`U.S. House of Representatives
`Washington, D.C. 205 15
`
`Dear Congressman Cummings:
`
`This letter responds to your letter of June 30,2000, concerning the U.S InternationaS
`Trade Commission's Investigation No. TA-201-7 1, Crabmeat from Swimming Crabs.
`You express concern about the impact that import relief might have on the economy o$+
`Baltimore, and urge that relief that be imposed.
`
`1.
`
`On July 1 1 , 2000, the Commission made a negative determination in this investigation
`. by a vote of 4-2. This means that import relief will not be imposed in this case. A
`press release announcing the results of our vote is enclosed. We are scheduled to send
`our final report to the President on August 29, 2000.
`
`We appreciate the information that you provided. Your letter was a part of the
`Commission's record in this investigation when we made our determination, and in
`making our determination we gave careful consideration to the information that you and
`the parties provided in the investigation.
`
`Wc hope this information is helpful
`
`Enclosure
`
`Stephen Koplan
`
`

`
`W. Gearhad7- 12-001 1 5 77a. wwg
`
`cc:
`
`Chairman
`
`External Relations f l J < T/ -./.
`
`Secretary (Dockets)-Inv. TA-20 1-7 1, Crabmeat from Swimming Crabs
`
`

`
`NEWS
`
`United States International Trade Commission Office of External Relations Washington, DC 20436
`
`FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
`July 11, 2000
`
`CONTACT: Peg O'Laughlin
`John Greer
`202-205-1 819
`
`00-089
`I ~ v . NO. TA-201-73
`
`ITC MAKES NEGATIVE D E T " A T I 0 N CONCERNING
`IMPORTS OF CRABMEAT FROM SWIMMING CRABS
`
`The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that increased imports of
`crabmeat from swimming crabs are not a substantial cause of serious injury or threat of serious
`injury to an industry in the United States.
`
`Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg, Marcia E. Miller, Jennifer A. Hillman, and Thelma J. Askey
`made negative determinations in this investigation. Chairman Stephen Koplan and Vice
`Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun made affirmative determinations.
`
`As a result of today's vote, made under section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974, the Commission's
`investigation ends. The Commission will forward its findings in this investigation to the
`President by August 29, 2000.
`
`A public report concerning the investigation will be available d e r the Commission submits its
`findings to the President.
`
`-- 30 -
`
`

`
`ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS
`7m DISTRICT. MARYLAND
`
`1632 LONGWORTH BUILDING
`WASHINGTON, DC 20515
`(202) 225-4741
`FAX 12021 22S-3178
`
`COMMITTEE ON
`TRANSPORTATION AND
`INFRASTRUCTURE
`
`COMMITTEE ON
`GOVERNMENT REFORM
`
`DEMOCRATIC
`POLICY COMMllTEE
`
`DEMOCRATIC
`STEERING COMMIITEE
`Mr. Stephen Koplan
`Chairman
`U.S. International Trade Commission
`500 E Street, S.W.
`Washington, D.C. 20436
`
`Boue'e a€ Sepres'entatibesl
`f@Ba$@ington, BUL 20515
`
`JUL - 3 REC'C
`June 30,2000
`0 8,
`
`DISTRICT OFFICES.
`
`0 3000 DRUID PARK DRIVE
`
`BALTIMORE, MD 21215
`1410) 387-1900
`FAX (4101 367-5331
`
`0 7900 LIEERTY ROAD
`BALTIMORE, MD 21246
`(410) 4952010
`FAX (410) 4962015
`
`0 754 FREDERICK ROAD
`CATONSVILLE, MO 21228
`(410) 719-8777
`FAX (4101 455-0110
`w.house.govlcurnmings
`
`-/$-e: 7 - 3 4 7 G &!3? -
`
`36
`
`Re:
`
`Section 201 Investigation of Crabmeat from Swimming Crabs
`
`Dear Chairman Koplan:
`
`On behalf of my constituents in Maryland's 7Ih Congressional District, I urge the Commission
`not to impose trade restrictions on imported crabmeat. The economy of Baltimore, as well as
`many other areas of the country, would be severely affected by an affirmative determination.
`
`I have visited the Phillips Foods facility in my Baltimore District to see how they make crabcakes,
`crab soups and other value added products from imported crabmeat. Phillips bought an
`abandoned building in the inner city, renovated it, installed very expensive processing
`equipment, and hired hundreds of inner city residents to work there, The company has created
`much needed economic development in the City.
`The success of that facility in iust a few short years has been astonishing.
`
`Phillips must use pasteurized crabmeat in its products, but it cannot buy enough from domestic
`suppliers. Thus, import restrictions would prevent Phillips from expanding and from hiring more
`workers. Even worse, I greatly fear that imposition of any restrictions would cause Phillips to
`3.
`-
`decide to relocate its facility overseas.
`
`?
`
`I am also very sympathetic to the plight of the Maryland watermen, who have found it very
`difficult to supply Maryland crabmeat processors with enough crabs to pick. However, imposing
`import restrictions will not help them. Steps are being taken by State of Maryland officials, in
`conjunction with the private sector, to restore the Bay's crab resources and make our crab
`industry more competitive. I believe we should continue this course of action.
`
`Thank you for your consideration of my views.
`
`Si ncerelv, *ed-gz
`
`Elijah E. Cummings
`
`Member of Congress
`
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