1999-2000 Allocation of the Raw Cane Sugar Tariff-rate Quota

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

1999-2000 Allocation of the Raw Cane Sugar Tariff-rate Quota

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 country-by-country allocation of the in-quota

quantity of the tariff-rate quota for imported raw cane sugar for the

period beginning October 1, 1999, and ending September 30, 1999. Notice

of the

[[Page 61173]]

country allocations for the 1999-2000 refined and sugar-containing

products tariff-rate quotas was published in the Federal Register

October 7, 1999 (Federal Register Volume 64, Number 1941, page 54719).

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 2, 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 a tariff-rate quota for imports of

raw cane sugar. The in-quota quantity of the raw cane sugar tariff-rate

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

initially established by the Secretary of Agriculture, and 1,135,000

metric tons, raw value (1,251,123 short tons) have been released to the

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for allocation.

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).

Accordingly, the 1,135,000 metric tons for raw cane sugar are being

allocated to the following countries in metric tons, raw value:

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FY2000

Country allocation

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Argentina.................................................. 45,283

Australia.................................................. 87,408

Barbados................................................... 7,372

Belize..................................................... 11,584

Bolivia.................................................... 8,425

Brazil..................................................... 152,700

Colombia................................................... 25,274

Congo...................................................... 7,258

Cote d'Ivoire.............................................. 7,258

Costa Rica................................................. 15,797

Dominican Republic......................................... 185,346

Ecuador.................................................... 11,584

El Salvador................................................ 27,381

Fiji....................................................... 9,478

Gabon...................................................... 7,258

Guatemala.................................................. 50,549

Guyana..................................................... 12,637

Haiti...................................................... 7,258

Honduras................................................... 10,531

India...................................................... 8,425

Jamaica.................................................... 11,584

Madagascar................................................. 7,258

Malawi..................................................... 10,531

Mauritius.................................................. 12,637

Mexico..................................................... 25,000

Mozambique................................................. 13,690

Nicaragua.................................................. 22,115

Panama..................................................... 30,540

Papua New Guinea........................................... 7,258

Paraguay................................................... 7,258

Peru....................................................... 43,177

Philippines................................................ 142,169

South Africa............................................... 24,221

St. Kitts & Nevis.......................................... 7,258

Swaziland.................................................. 16,850

Taiwan..................................................... 12,637

Thailand................................................... 14,743

Trinidad-Tobago............................................ 7,372

Uruguay.................................................... 7,258

Zimbabwe................................................... 12,637

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Total.................................................. 1,135,000

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This allocation includes the following minimum quota-holding

countries: Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Haiti, Madagascar, Papua New

Guinea, Paraguay, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Uruguay.

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. This allocation is subject to the condition that the total

imports of raw and refined sugar from Mexico, combined, are not to

exceed 25,000 metric tons raw value. Conversion factor: 1 metric ton =

1.10231125 short tons.

Charlene Barshefsky,

United States Trade Representative.

[FR Doc. 99-29345 Filed 11-8-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3190-01-P