[Federal Register: November 14, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 219)]
[Notices]
[Page 66302-66303]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14no06-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Notice of a Request for Extension of a Currently Approved
Information Collection
AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the 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 January 16, 2006 to
be assured of consideration.
Additional Information and Comments:
Contact Ron Lord, Deputy Director, Import Policies and Programs
Division, AgStop 1021, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20250-1021 or telephone (202) 720-2916, fax to (202) 720-0876, or e-
mail Ronald.Lord@fas.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Certificate for Quota Eligibility.
OMB Number: 0551-0014.
Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2007.
Type of Request: Extension 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 TRQ duty rates. The terms
under which Certificates for Quota Eligibility (CQEs) will be issued to
foreign countries that have been allocated a share of the TRQ are set
forth in 15 CFR Part 2011, Allocation of Tariff-rate Quota on Imported
Sugars, Syrups, and Molasses, Subpart A--Certificates of Quota
Eligibility. The authority for issuing CQEs is Additional U.S. Note
5(b)(iv) to chapter 17 of the HTS. The regulation, promulgated by the
United States Trade Representative, provides for the issuance of CQEs
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to the TRQ from being imported into the United States or withdrawn from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 TRQ duty rates unless such sugar is
accompanied by a CQE. CQEs are issued to foreign countries by the
Director of the Import Policies and Programs Division, Foreign
Agriculture Service, or his or her designee. The issuance of CQEs is in
such amounts and at such times as the
[[Page 66303]]
Director 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 CQE is used to monitor and control the
imports of raw can sugar. Proper completion of the CQE is mandatory for
those foreign governments that are eligible and elect to export raw
cane sugar to the United States under the TRQ.
Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for the collection
varies in direct relation to the number of CQEs issued.
Respondents: Foreign governments.
Estimated number of respondents: 40 (i.e., number of countries
receiving a TRQ allocation).
Estimated number of responses per respondent: 30 per fiscal year.
Estimated total annual reporting burden: 200 hours.
Requests for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) Whether the
information collection 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 collection of information including validity of the
methodology and assumption 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. Copies of this information collection may be
obtained from Tamoria Thompson-Hall, the Agency Information Collection
Coordinator, at (202) 690-1690.
Comments may be sent to Ron Lord, Deputy Director, Import Policies
and Programs Division, AgStop 1021, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250-1021 or telephone (202) 720-2916 or e-mail Ronald.
Lord@fas.usda.gov. All comments received will be available for public
inspection in room 5531-S at the above address. Persons with
disabilities who require an alternative means of communication for
information (Braille, large print, aduiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA's target center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). All responses
to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB
approval. All comments also will become a matter of public record.
FAS is committed to complying with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act which requires Government agencies, to the maximum
extent feasible, to provide the public the option of electronically
submitting information collection. CQEs permit exporters to ship raw
cane sugar to the United States at the U.S. price, which is
significantly higher than the world price for raw cane sugar.
Therefore, in contrast to most information collection documents, CQEs
have a monetary value equivalent to the substantial profits to
exporters who can fill their raw cane sugar allocations under the TRQ.
CQEs have always been carefully handled as secure documents, and issues
only to foreign government-approved certifying authorities. The
Department does not plan to make CQEs available electronically in order
to prevent a potential proliferation of invalid CQEs, which could
undermine the integrity of the TRQ system.
Dated: Signed at Washington, DC on November 7, 2006.
Michael W. Yost,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 06-9190 Filed 11-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M