MTB Gains Momentum

February 17, 2006 -- The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) joined 46 other organizations in submitting a letter to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman, and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), ranking member, of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, urging the Senate to commence the process of consideration of the next miscellaneous trade bill (MTB) early in 2006. The House Ways and Means Committee are currently drafting a miscellaneous trade bill with a markup to be introduced in the coming weeks.

?The MTB is vitally important to hundreds of American companies and their customers,? the Ad Hoc Coalition on Tariffs states in their letter. ?Many of these are small businesses seeking duty suspensions on input products that are not made in the United States. Temporary duty suspensions on such products have real impact. In short, MTB gives these businesses a shot in the arm by promoting economic growth and enhancing productivity.?

ASI has a provision for the MTB regarding a temporary reduction in the 7-percent tariff on imported nylon wool packs.

?After a few delays, the reduction looks promising for the 2007 shearing season,? commented Peter Orwick, executive director for ASI. ?The decrease in the tariff would help reduce costs to U.S. producers.?

To be included in the MTB, a product generally must be non-controversial or have no domestic producer who objects to its inclusion; it should benefit U.S. producers and should be small in terms of volume or imports and corresponding revenue loss.

Staff contact: Peter Orwick, ext. 33