Preliminary Determinations of Countervailing Duty Investigations on Imports of
Durum Wheat and Hard Red Spring Wheat from Canada.

On March 4, the Department of Commerce (DOC) announced its affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of certain durum wheat and hard red spring wheat from Canada and its alignment of the final countervailing duty determinations with the final antidumping duty (AD) determinations.

Background: On October 23, 2002, the Department announced its decision to initiate AD and CVD investigations on imports of certain durum wheat and hard red spring wheat from Canada. On November 25, 2002, the United States International Trade Commission determined that there is a reasonable indication that industries in the United States are being materially injured by reasons of imports from Canada of durum and hard red spring wheat.

Petitioners: The petitions requesting these investigations were filed on behalf of the North Dakota Wheat Commission (hard red spring wheat), the Durum Growers Trade Action Committee (durum wheat), and the U.S. Durum Growers Association (durum wheat).

Import Statistics: Combined imports of durum and hard red spring wheats for the most recent marketing year were in excess in $300 million dollars.

Product Description:
The products covered by the durum investigations are all varieties of durum wheat from Canada. This includes, but is not limited to, a variety commonly referred to as Canada Western Amber Durum. The merchandise subject to these investigations is currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheadings 1001.10.00.10, 1001.10.00.91, 1001.10.00.92, 1001.10.00.95, 1001.10.00.96, and 1001.10.00.99.

The products covered by the hard red spring investigations are all varieties of hard red spring wheat from Canada. This includes, but is not limited to, varieties commonly referred to as Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Extra Strong, and Canada Prairie Spring Red. The merchandise subject to these investigations is currently classifiable in the HTSUS at subheadings 1001.90.10.00, 1001.90.20.05, 1001.90.20.11, 1001.90.20.12, 1001.90.20.13, 1001.90.20.14, 1001.90.20.16, 1001.90.20.19, 1001.90.20.21, 1001.90.20.22, 1001.90.20.23, 1001.90.20.24, 1001.90.20.26, 1001.90.20.29, 1001.90.20.35, and 1001.90.20.96. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, our written description of the scope of these proceedings is dispositive.