The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is not a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of kosher chicken from Canada that is allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, Vice Chairman Jennifer A. Hillman, and Commissioners Stephen Koplan, Charlotte R. Lane, and Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative. Commissioner Marcia E. Miller voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's negative determination, the investigation will end.

The Commission's public report Kosher Chicken from Canada (Investigation No. 731-TA-1062 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3669, January 2004) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after February 13, 2004, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: The imported product subject to this investigation is ready-to-cook chicken from Canada, whether fresh, chilled, or frozen, and whether whole or cut up in pieces, that has been certified as Kosher or Glatt Kosher. Kosher food is that which fulfills the requirements of the Jewish dietary laws, or kashrut, that are derived from the Jewish Torah (i.e., the laws of God as revealed to Moses and recorded in the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures). Kashrut specifies which foods can and cannot be consumed and how they must be prepared. Excluded from the scope of this investigation are Kosher or Glatt Kosher chicken wings (if unattached to any other chicken part) and offal such as necks, gizzards, livers, and hearts. Cooked chicken or chicken parts and ready-to-cook non- kosher whole chicken or chicken parts are outside the scope of this investigation.

Status of Proceedings:

   1.  Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping.
   2.  Petitioner:  Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc., Mifflintown, PA.
   3.  Preliminary investigation instituted by the USITC:  December 1, 2003.
   4.  Commission's conference:  December 22, 2003.
   5.  USITC vote:  January 14, 2004.
   6.  USITC determination sent to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  January 15, 2004.

U.S. Industry:

   1.  Number of currently operating producers:  Four. 
   2.  Location of producers' plants:  Iowa, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
   3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2002: (1)
   4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2002: (1)
   5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. shipments of imports to total U.S. consumption in
	 2002: (1)

U.S. Imports:

   1.  From the subject countries during 2002: (1)
   2.  From other countries during 2002:  $0.

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.