[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32641-32643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15850]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency

7 CFR Part 782

RIN 0560-AE37


End-Use Certificate Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, Agriculture.

ACTION: Final Rule.

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SUMMARY: A proposed rule was published on November 14, 1995, (60 FR 
57198) with respect to the End-Use Certificate Program. This final rule 
adopts, with minor changes, the provisions of the proposed rule. 
Accordingly, this rule amends reporting requirements, reporting 
deadlines, and the required notification process in a manner that 
increases program effectiveness and efficiency for government and 
affected industries by requiring all grain handlers to provide 
immediate notification to the buyer when wheat being purchased or 
handled is of Canadian origin. The provisions of this regulation also 
simplify the reporting burden placed on importers, subsequent buyers, 
end users, and exporters by extending reporting deadlines from 10 
workdays to 15 workdays, and by permitting the computer generation and 
facsimile transmission of required reporting documentation.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 25, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen Linden, Agricultural Service 
Agency, P.O. Box 2415, Ag Box 0553, Washington, DC 20013-2415; 
Telephone (202) 690-4321.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Executive Order 12778

    This final rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive 
Order 12778. The provisions of this final rule do not preempt State 
laws, are not retroactive, and do not involve administrative appeals.

Environmental Evaluation

    It has been determined by an environmental evaluation that this 
action will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment. Therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an 
Environmental Impact Analysis is needed.

Executive Order 12372

    This program/activity is not subject to the provisions of Executive 
Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State 
and local officials. See notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, 
published at 48 FR 29115 (June 24, 1983).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule amends the reporting requirements by extending reporting 
deadlines and incorporating alternative reporting methods. Since the 
effective date of the End-Use Certificate Program, the Farm Service 
Agency (FSA) has determined that entities required to file form FSA-
750, End-Use Certificate for Wheat, and form FSA-751, Wheat Consumption 
and Resale Report, have encountered some difficulty in meeting

[[Page 32642]]

the requirement that these forms be filed with the Kansas City 
Commodity Office (KCCO) within 10 workdays following the date of entry, 
or the date of resale, as applicable. This rule increases the amount of 
time to satisfy the reporting requirements from 10 workdays following 
the date of entry or resale to 15 workdays following the date of entry 
or resale. This action provides increased flexibility for entities that 
are required to file such reports without decreasing government 
efficiency in administering the program. Additionally, FSA has received 
numerous requests to permit facsimile transmission and computer 
generation of forms FSA-750 and FSA-751. In an attempt to accommodate 
technology that is currently available, FSA will accept such report 
submissions under the End-Use Certificate Program. While all of the 
entities that are required to file forms FSA-750 and FSA-751 may 
potentially be affected by these changes in reporting requirements, no 
entities will be adversely affected.
    The changes in this rule do not affect recordkeeping requirements.
    The reporting requirements for FSA-750 and FSA-751 were previously 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and assigned OMB 
control number 0560-0151.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The changes in this final rule are intended to reduce the reporting 
burden for all affected businesses, including small businesses. Because 
these changes will not have an adverse impact on a substantial number 
of small businesses, a Regulatory Flexibility Assessment is not 
required.

Background

    This final rule amends the regulations at 7 CFR part 782 with 
respect to the U.S. End-Use Certificate Program. Since February 27, 
1995, the effective date for the implementation of the End-Use 
Certificate Program, several items have been identified that could 
improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of the End-Use Certificate 
Program.
    The final rule published on January 26, 1995, at 60 FR 5087, did 
not include a specific time requirement for importers and subsequent 
buyers to inform subsequent buyers or end users that wheat being 
purchased is of Canadian origin and is therefore subject to these 
regulations. In some instances, importers are delivering Canadian wheat 
to subsequent buyers and end users through grain handlers. FSA has 
found that this method of transporting Canadian wheat results in some 
grain handlers acquiring title to a portion of the wheat, thus becoming 
either a subsequent buyer or an end user. The general interpretation of 
existing regulations by affected parties is that the importer or 
subsequent buyer has 10 workdays to provide a copy of form FSA-750, 
End-Use Certificate for Wheat, to the subsequent buyer or exporter, 
which mirrors the requirement for submitting forms to KCCO. This delay 
in notification has resulted in situations where importers and 
subsequent buyers have either commingled Canadian wheat with U.S. 
origin wheat or resold Canadian wheat before they were informed that 
the wheat was of Canadian origin. Therefore, this rule amends the 
regulations at 7 CFR part 782 to require importers and subsequent 
buyers to provide immediate notification to purchasers and grain 
handlers when wheat being sold is of Canadian origin.
    Secondly, in an effort to simplify and expedite the receipt of 
reports, this rule extends the time requirements for filing forms FSA-
750, End-Use Certificate for Wheat, and FSA-751, Wheat Consumption and 
Resale Report, with KCCO from 10 workdays to 15 workdays following the 
date of entry or resale, and incorporates provisions which will permit 
the facsimile transmission and computer generation of required forms.

Summary of Comments

    Two timely responses were received to the proposed rule published 
in the Federal Register on November 14, 1995, (60 FR 57198). While the 
two respondents generally supported the provisions contained in the 
proposed rule, both provided additional comments and recommendations.
    The first respondent did not support the proposed extension of the 
filing deadline from 10 workdays to 15 workdays following the date of 
entry or resale, while the second respondent recommended that the 
filing deadlines be extended to 30 workdays following the date of entry 
or resale. Many importers of Canadian-produced wheat have experienced 
difficulty in meeting the 10 workday filing deadline. Because the 
extension of filing deadlines from 10 workdays to 15 workdays following 
the date of entry or resale will ease the reporting burden without 
negatively impacting the effectiveness of the End-Use Certificate 
Program, the filing deadlines have been extended from 10 workdays to 15 
workdays following the date of entry or resale, as proposed.
    The second respondent commented on five additional issues. Of these 
issues, two were not responsive to the proposed rule, and therefore, 
were not considered in the development of this final rule. The second 
respondent recommended that FSA consider establishing and publishing a 
specific policy concerning shrink. No specific policy has been 
established to address the issue of shrink; each situation is 
considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if the percentage of 
commodity loss is reasonable based on the length of storage and the 
number of times the wheat has been handled.
    The second respondent also commented that forms FSA-750 and FSA-751 
should be modified to reflect quantities in bushels rather than net 
metric tons. When wheat is imported from Canada, the United States 
Customs Service (Customs) agents at the border crossing collect 
information concerning the quantity imported on a metric ton basis. 
Customs then forwards this information to FSA for use in determining 
compliance with the End-Use Certificate Program regulations. To be 
consistent with the procedures used by Customs, this rule maintains the 
requirement that quantities reported on forms FSA-750 and FSA-751 be on 
a metric ton basis.
    Finally, the second respondent requested that FSA consider amending 
the regulations to permit importers to report Canadian wheat imports on 
the basis of whole shipments or by contract quantities, rather than by 
individual truck or rail car. In developing these regulations, FSA 
worked closely with Customs to ensure that reporting requirements 
established by FSA would be consistent with the reporting requirement 
used by Customs. Because a portion of the information collected by 
Customs is forwarded to FSA for use in determining whether importers 
are complying with these regulations, the information collected by FSA 
must be consistent with the information collected by Customs. For this 
reason, the final rule maintains the requirement that quantities of 
wheat imported from Canada must be reported on a ``per entry'' basis as 
defined in this regulation.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 782

    Administrative practice and procedure, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Wheat.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR part 782 is amended 
as follows:

PART 782--END-USE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

    1. The authority citation for part 782 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 3391(f).


[[Page 32643]]


    2. In part 782 all references to ``ASCS-750'' are revised to read 
``FSA-750.''
    3. In part 782 all references to ``ASCS-751'' are revised to read 
``FSA-751.''
    4. Section 782.2 is amended by adding the following definition in 
alphabetical order:


Sec. 782.2   Definitions.

* * * * *
    Grain handler means an entity other than the importer, exporter, 
subsequent buyer, or end user that handles wheat on behalf of an 
importer, exporter, subsequent buyer, or end user.
* * * * *
    5. Section 782.4 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 782.4   OMB control numbers assigned pursuant to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

    The information collection requirements in this part have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned OMB 
control number 0560-0151.
    6. Section 782.12 is amended by:
    A. Removing the number ``10'' in the first sentence of paragraph 
(a) and adding the number ``15'' in its place,
    B. Removing paragraph (a)(8),
    C. Redesignating paragraphs (a)(9) and (a)(10) as paragraph (a)(8) 
and (a)(9), respectively,
    D. Redesignating paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) as paragraph (d), 
(e), (f), respectively,
    E. Adding new paragraphs (b) and (c) and revising newly 
redesignated paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec. 782.12   Filing FSA-750, End-Use Certificate for Wheat.

* * * * *
    (b) Importers may provide computer generated form FSA-750, provided 
such computer generated forms:
    (1) Are approved in advance by KCCO,
    (2) Contain a KCCO-assigned serial number, and
    (3) Contain all of the information required in paragraphs (a)(1) 
through (a)(9).
    (c) KCCO will accept form FSA-750 submitted through the following 
methods:
    (1) Mail service, including express mail,
    (2) Facsimile machine, and
    (3) Other electronic transmissions, provided such transmissions are 
approved in advance by KCCO. The importer remains responsible for 
ensuring that electronically transmitted forms are received in 
accordance with paragraph (a).
* * * * *
    (e) Distribution of form FSA-750 will be as follows:
    (1) If form FSA-750 is submitted to KCCO in accordance with 
paragraph (c)(1);
    (i) The original shall be forwarded to Kansas City Commodity 
Office, Warehouse License and Contract Division, P.O. Box 419205, 
Kansas City, MO 64141-6205, by the importer,
    (ii) One copy shall be retained by the importer.
    (2) If form FSA-750 is submitted to KCCO in accordance with 
paragraphs (c)(2) or (c)(3), the original form FSA-750 that is signed 
and dated by the importer in accordance with paragraph (d) shall be 
maintained by the importer,
    (3) The importer shall provide a photocopy to the end user or, if 
the wheat is purchased for purposes of resale, the subsequent buyer(s).
* * * * *
    7. Section 782.13 is amended by:
    A. Redesignating paragraphs (b) and (c) as paragraph (c) and (d), 
respectively, and by removing the number ``10'' in the new paragraph 
(d) and adding the number ``15'' in its place,
    B. Adding paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec. 782.13   Importer responsibilities.

* * * * *
    (b) Immediately notify each subsequent buyer, grain handler, or end 
user that the wheat being purchased or handled originated in Canada and 
may only be commingled with U.S.-produced wheat by the end user or when 
loaded onto a conveyance for direct delivery to the end user or a 
foreign country.
* * * * *
    8. Section 782.15 is amended by:
    A. Removing the number ``10'' in paragraph (a)(1) and adding the 
number ``15'' in its place, and
    B. Adding paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows:


Sec. 782.15   Filing FSA-751, Wheat Consumption and Resale Report.

* * * * *
    (e) Filers may provide computer generated form FSA-751, provided 
such computer generated forms:
    (1) Are approved in advance by KCCO, and
    (2) Contain the information required in paragraphs (b)(1) through 
(b)(9) of this section.
    (f) KCCO will accept form FSA-751 submitted through the following 
methods:
    (1) Mail service, including express mail,
    (2) Facsimile machine, and
    (3) Other electronic transmissions, provided such transmissions are 
approved in advance by KCCO. The importer, end user, exporter, or 
subsequent buyer remains responsible for ensuring that electronically 
transmitted forms are received in accordance with this section.
    (g) Distribution of form FSA-751 will be as follows:
    (1) If form FSA-751 is submitted to KCCO in accordance with 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section:
    (i) The original shall be forwarded to Kansas City Commodity 
Office, Warehouse License and Contract Division, P.O. Box 419205, 
Kansas City, MO 64141-6205, by the importer, end user, exporter, or 
subsequent buyer.
    (ii) One copy shall be retained by the importer, end user, 
exporter, or subsequent buyer.
    (2) If form FSA-751 is submitted to KCCO in accordance with 
paragraphs (f)(2) or (f)(3) of this section, the original form FSA-751 
shall be maintained by the importer, end user, exporter, or subsequent 
buyer.
* * * * *
    9. Section 782.17 is amended by:
    A. Redesignating paragraph (b) as paragraph (c), and
    B. Adding a new paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec. 782.17   Wheat purchased for resale.

* * * * *
    (b) The importer or subsequent buyer shall immediately notify each 
subsequent buyer, grain handler, exporter, or end user that the wheat 
being purchased or handled originated in Canada and may only be 
commingled with U.S.-produced wheat by the end user or when loaded onto 
a conveyance for direct delivery to the end user or a foreign country.
* * * * *
    Signed at Washington, DC, on June 14, 1996.
Grant Buntrock,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 96-15850 Filed 6-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P