Agramericas, Inc.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57186
August 30, 2005

The Honorable E. Clay Shaw, Jr. (R-FL)
Chairman, Subcommittee on Trade
Committee on Ways and Means
1106 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Shaw:

These written comments are submitted pursuant to Trade Advisory #TR-3 issued on Monday, July 25, 2005.  These comments are submitted on behalf of Agramericas, Inc., regarding the liquidation or reliquidation of certain drawback claims as set forth in HR 2997.  We support the inclusion of both of these bills into this Congress’ Miscellaneous Trade Package.

The need for these reliquidation bills is a result of the U.S. Custom Service not following the standard for determining commercial interchangeability as established by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in determining whether or not to grant drawbacks for the claims identified in the above referenced bills.  Agramericas, Inc., strongly supports these bills as it will correct the misapplication by U.S. Customs of the commercial interchangeability standard with respect to exports of rice from the U.S. 

Should you have any questions concerning these comments, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.  We thank the Committee for its consideration of these comments.

Kevin R. Deuel
President