[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7435-7436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3994]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Foreign Agricultural Service's intention to 
request an extension for, and a revision to, a currently approved 
information collection in support of the regulations governing low-tier 
duty entry of raw-cane sugar into the U.S. domestic market.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 21, 1997 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Mail or deliver comments to Stephen 
C. Hammond, Team Leader, Import Policies and Programs Division, Foreign 
Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 1021, 
Washington, DC 20250-1021. For further information, contract Mr. 
Hammond at telephone number (202) 720-1061.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Certificate of Quota Eligibility OMB NUMBER: 0551-0014.
    Expiration date of approval: April 30, 1997.
    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 low-tier rates of the 
tariff-rate quota (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 C.F.R. 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 regulations, 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TRQ from being imported into the United States or withdrawn from 
warehouse for consumption at the low-tier duty rates unless 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 Team Leader, Import Quota Programs, Import 
Policies and Programs Division, 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: 15 per annum.

[[Page 7436]]

    Estimated total annual burden of respondents: 100 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Valerie 
Countiss, the agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
6713.
    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 Stephen C. Hammond, Team Leader, Import 
Policies and Programs Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Stop 1021, Washington, DC 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, DC, February 12, 1997.
August Schumacher, Jr.,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3994 Filed 2-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M