[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38495-38496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15624]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice 
announces the Foreign Agricultural Service's intention to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
the regulations governing the entry of raw-cane sugar under the tariff 
rate quota (TRQ) into the United States.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 21, 2000 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Mail or deliver comments to James 
D. Grueff, Assistant Deputy Administrator, International Trade Policy 
and Acting Division Director, Import Policies and Programs Division, 
Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 
1021, Washington, DC 20250-1021. For further information, contact Mr. 
Grueff at telephone number (202) 720-4055.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Certificate of Quota Eligibility OMB NUMBER: 0551-0014.
    Expiration date of approval: November 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the quantity of 
raw-cane sugar which may be entered at the in-quota duty rates of the 
TRQ. The terms under which Certificates of Quota Eligibility will be 
issued to foreign countries that have been allocated a share of the TRQ 
are set forth in 15 CFR part 2011, Subpart A, Allocation of Tariff-rate 
Quota on Imported Sugars, Syrups, and Molasses. The authority for 
Certificates of Quota Eligibility is additional U.S. note 5(b)(iv) to 
chapter 17 of the HTS.
    The regulation, promulgated by the U.S. Trade Representative, 
provides for the issuance of Certificates of Quota Eligibility by the 
Secretary of Agriculture, and in general prohibits sugar subject to the 
TRQ from being imported into the United States or withdrawn from a 
warehouse for consumption at the in-quota rates unless

[[Page 38496]]

such sugar is accompanied by a Certificate of Quota Eligibility. 
Certificates of Quota Eligibility are issued to foreign countries by 
the Licensing Authority who is the Assistant Deputy Administrator, 
International Trade Policy, Foreign Agricultural Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture, or his or her designee. The issuance of 
Certificates of Quota Eligibility is in such amounts and at such times 
as the Secretary determines are appropriate to enable the foreign 
country to fill its quota allocation for such quota period in a 
reasonable manner, taking into account traditional shipping patterns, 
harvesting period, U.S. import requirements, and other relevant 
factors.
    The information required to be collected on the Certificate of 
Quota Eligibility is used to monitor and control the imports of sugar. 
Proper completion of the Certificate of Quota Eligibility is mandatory 
for those foreign governments that are eligible and elect to export raw 
sugar to the United States under the provisions of the tariff-rate 
quota.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for these 
collections vary in direct relation to the number of Certificates of 
Quota Eligibility issued.
    Respondents: Foreign governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 40 per annum.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 30 per annum.
    Estimated total annual burden of respondents: 200 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly 
Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
2568.
    Request for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments may be sent to James D. Grueff, Assistant Deputy 
Administrator, International Trade Policy and Acting Division Director, 
Import Policies Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Stop 1021, Washington D.C. 20250-1021. All responses to 
this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2000.
Timothy J. Galvin,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 00-15624 Filed 6-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P