[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 15458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8618]



      
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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 68 / Monday, April 8, 1996  / 
Notices  

[[Page 15458]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Modification of Total Amount of Tariff-rate Quota for Imported 
Raw Cane Sugar

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice modifies the aggregate quantity of raw cane sugar 
that may be entered under subheading 1701.11.10 of the Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) during fiscal year 1996 (FY 
96). As modified, such aggregate quantity is 2,017,195 metric tons, raw 
value.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Inquiries may be mailed or delivered to the Sugar Team 
Leader, Import Policy and Programs Division, Foreign Agricultural 
Service, Room 5531, South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Washington, DC 20250-1000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Hammond (Sugar Team Leader); 
telephone: 202-720-1061.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Paragraph (a)(i) of additional U.S. note 5 
to chapter 17 of the HTS provides in part that ``* * * the aggregate 
quantity of raw cane sugar entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for 
consumption, under subheading 1701.11.10, during any fiscal year, shall 
not exceed in the aggregate an amount (expressed in terms of raw 
value), not less than, 1,117,195 metric tons, as shall be established 
by the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as ``the 
Secretary''), and the aggregate quantity of sugars, syrups, and 
molasses entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, under 
subheadings 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 1702.90.10 and 
2106.90.44, during any fiscal year, shall not exceed in the aggregate 
an amount (expressed in terms of raw value), not less than 22,000 
metric tons, as shall be established by the Secretary.'' On August 3, 
1995, the Secretary established the aggregate quantity of 1,117,195 
metric tons, raw value, of raw cane sugar that may be entered under 
subheading 1701.11.10 of the HTS and the aggregate quantity of 22,000 
metric tons (raw value basis) for certain sugars, syrups, and molasses 
that may be entered under subheadings 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 
1701.99.10, 1702.90.10, and 2106.90.44 of the HTS during FY 96. (60 FR 
42142) On November 9, 1995, the Secretary increased the aggregate 
quantity of raw cane sugar that may be entered under subheading 
1701.11.10 to 1,417,195 metric tons. Again on January 17, 1996, the 
Secretary increased the aggregate quantity of raw cane sugar that may 
be entered under subheading 1701.11.10 to 1,817,195 metric tons.
    Paragraph (a)(ii) of additional U.S. note 5 to chapter 17 of the 
HTS provides that ``[w]henever the Secretary believes that domestic 
supplies of sugars may be inadequate to meet domestic demand at 
reasonable prices, the Secretary may modify any quantitative 
limitations which have previously been established * * *.'' The U.S. 
sugar production forecast for FY 96 released on March 12, 1995, in the 
World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) was reduced by 
10,000 short tons raw value (STRV) to 7.5 million STRV from the WASDE 
production forecast released on January 16, 1996. The domestic 
wholesale refined sugar prices in the midwest market have been 
increasing since the tariff-rate quota increase was announced by the 
Secretary. During the first week of November 1995 the refined sugar 
price was 26.50 cents per pound. The refined sugar price during the 
first week of January 1996 was 28.75-29.25 cents per pound, which 
represents a 2.25 cent per pound increase. Today refined prices range 
from 29.50-31.50 cents per pound.
    Paragraph (b)(i) of U.S. additional note 5 provides that ``[t]he 
quota amounts established [by the Secretary] may be allocated among 
supplying countries and areas by the United States Trade 
Representative.''

Notice

    Notice is hereby given that I have determined, in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(ii) of additional U.S. note 5 to chapter 17 of the HTS, 
that an aggregate quantity of up to 2,017,195 metric tons, raw value, 
of raw cane sugar described in subheading 1701.11.10 of the HTS may be 
entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption during the period 
from October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1996.
    This modified quota amount will be allocated among supplying 
countries and areas by the United States Trade Representative.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on April 2, 1996.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 96-8618 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M