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

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TRQ from being imported into the United States or withdrawn from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