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FACT SHEET

Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigations:
Certain Frozen Fish Filets (Catfish) from Vietnam

On July 18, 2002, the Department of Commerce ("the Department") initiated an antidumping investigation on imports of certain frozen fish fillets (catfish) from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam ("Vietnam"). As the petitioners submitted alleged margins using both non-market economy ("NME") and market economy analyses, the Department has initiated the investigation with a calculated dumping margin of 190.20% using an NME analysis, and a calculated dumping margin of 143.70% using a market economy analysis.

Petitioners: The petition requesting these investigations was filed on June 28 by Catfish Farmers of America (representing a number of catfish farmers/processors, primarily located in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas); America's Catch Inc.; Consolidated Catfish Co., L.L.C.; Delta Pride Catfish, Inc.; Harvest Select Catfish, Inc.; Heartland Catfish Company; Pride of the Pond; Simmons Farm Raised Catfish, Inc.; and Southern Pride Catfish Co., Inc.

Product Description: For purposes of this investigation, the products covered are frozen fish fillets, including regular, shank, and strip fillets, whether or not breaded or marinated, of the species Pangasius Bocourti, Pangasius Hypophthalmus (also known as Pangasius Pangasius), and Pangasius Micronemus. The merchandise subject to this investigation will be hereinafter referred to as frozen "basa" and "tra" fillets, which are the Vietnamese common names for these species of fish. These products are classifiable under article codes 0304.20.60.30 (frozen catfish fillets); 0304.20.60.96 (frozen fish fillets, NESOI); 0304.20.60.43 (frozen freshwater fish fillets); and 0304.20.60.57 (frozen sole fillets) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ("HTSUS"). This investigation covers all frozen fish fillets meeting the above specification, regardless of tariff classification. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, our written description of the scope of this proceeding is dispositive.

Case Calendar for Antidumping Duty Investigations:

Event	Date
Petitions Filed	June 28, 2002
Initiation Deadline	July 18, 2002
ITC Preliminary Determinations *	August 9, 2002
ITA Preliminary Determinations **	December 5, 2002
ITA Final Determinations **	February 18, 2003
ITC Final Determinations **	April 4, 2003
Orders ***	April 15, 2003

*If the International Trade Commission ("ITC") makes a negative preliminary determination of injury, the investigation is terminated.
**These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.
***This will take place only in the event of a final affirmative determination from the Department and the ITC .

Import Statistics: