The ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, is required by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act to monitor imports of "fresh or chilled tomatoes" and "fresh or chilled peppers, other than chili peppers," until January 1, 2009. The monitoring is intended to enable the ITC to conduct an expedited investigation and, if appropriate, recommend to the President provisional relief under either the global safeguard statute (section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974) or the bilateral safeguard statute (section 302 of the NAFTA Implementation Act) should a petition be filed that alleges that increased imports are causing serious injury to the U.S. tomato or pepper industry. The reports, which cover tomatoes and peppers for fresh-market use and for processing, include current conditions in the U.S. industry in such areas as production, imports, exports, and prices.

Copies of Monitoring of U.S. Imports of Tomatoes (Investigation 332-350, USITC Publication 3242, September 1999) and Monitoring of U.S. Imports of Peppers (Investigation 332-351, USITC Publication 3241, September 1999) will be available on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov. A printed copy may be requested from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436, or by calling 202-205-1809. Requests may be made by fax to 202-205-2104.