Allocation of the Refined Cane Sugar and Sugar Containing Products Tariff-Rate Quotas for 1999-2000

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Allocation of the Refined Cane Sugar and Sugar Containing

Products Tariff-Rate Quotas for 1999-2000

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is

providing notice of the allocation of 27,954 metric tons of refined

sugar to Mexico and allocation of 10,300 metric tons of refined sugar

and 59,250 metric tons of sugar containing products to Canada and

globalization of the remaining refined sugar tariff-rate quota (which

includes speciality sugars) for the period that begins October 1, 1999

and ends September 30, 2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Inquiries may be mailed or delivered to Karen Ackerman,

Senior Economist, Office of Agricultural Affairs (Room 423), Office of

the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW,

Washington, DC 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Ackerman, Office of Agricultural

Affairs, 202-395-6127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Additional U.S. Note 5 to

chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

(HTS), the United States maintains tariff-rate quotas for imports of

refined sugar and sugar containing products.

Section 404(d)(3) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C.

3601(d)(3)) authorizes the President to allocate the in-quota quantity

of a tariff-rate quota for any agricultural product among supplying

countries or customs areas. The President delegated this authority to

the United States Trade Representative under paragraph (3) of

Presidential Proclamation No. 6763 (60 FR 1007).

The in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota for refined sugar

for the period October 1, 1999-September 30, 2000, has been established

by the Secretary of Agriculture at 60,000 metric tons, raw value

(66,139 short tons). A total of 7,090 metric tons (7,815 short tons) of

this tariff-rate quota will be available for refined sugar and 14,656

metric tons (16,155 short tons) will be available for specialty sugars

on a globalized basis, that is, these amounts will be available on a

first-come, first-serve basis. A total of 10,300 metric tons (11,354

short tons) of refined sugar and 59,250 metric tons (65,312 short tons)

of sugar containing products (of the tariff-rate quota maintained under

additional U.S. Note 8 to Chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule)

will be allocated to Canada. Separately, an additional 2,954 metric

tons (3,256 short tons) of refined sugar will be allocated to Mexico.

The remaining 25,000 metric tons (27,558 short tons) of refined sugar

tariff-rate quota is being allocated to Mexico to fulfill obligations

pursuant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Under the NAFTA, the United States is to provide total access for

raw and refined sugar from Mexico of 25,000 metric tons, raw value, for

this quota period in conjunction with Mexico's net surplus producer

status. Once the raw sugar tariff-rate quota has been established, this

allocation is subject to the condition that the total imports of raw

and refined sugar from Mexico, combined, is not to exceed 25,000 metric

tons raw value. The allocation of the refined sugar and sugar

containing products tariff-rate quotas to countries that are net

importers of sugar are conditioned on receipt of the appropriate

verifications.

Charlene Barshefsky,

United States Trade Representative.

[FR Doc. 99-26110 Filed 10-6-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3190-01-M