6 November 1998

Request for " fast track tariff relief"

The Department of Finance has received a request for "fast track tariff relief" on certain leathers used to manufacture apparel.

The leathers are tanned sheep or lamb skin leather and pig leather, classified in 1998 under tariff item Nos. 4105.19.99 and 4107.10.92, respectively. In 1997, the products were classified under tariff item Nos. 4105.19.90 and 4107.10.90, respectively.

The applicant claims that Canadian tanneries do not produce these leathers for use by the garment industry, and that any operations done for the apparel industry are essentially converting of imported skins. Early tariff relief on the named products would enhance the applicant's competitiveness in both the domestic and export markets.

Please forward your views on this matter , including an assessment of the impact of the removal of the tariff on these products could have on Canadian producers, by December 2, 1998 to Ms. Rose Ritcey, Domestic Tariff Affairs, International Trade Policy Division.