[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 132 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37011-37012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17978]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Collecting Data on Domestic Sugar Prices

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Advance notice with request for comments.

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[[Page 37012]]

SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) continually encounters problems 
in responding to internal and external requests for reliable raw cane 
sugar and refined sugar price data. Sugar price data are used in the 
administration of the sugar program to forecast the likelihood of loan 
collateral forfeitures and to determine the adequacy of domestic sugar 
supply to meet demand at reasonable prices. Buyers and sellers of sugar 
and sugar-containing products also are interested in obtaining 
additional price data for gauging market activities. Comments are 
solicited from all parties on the collection of monthly average sugar 
prices, the value of publishing aggregate price data, as well as the 
costs and benefits of this data collection.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Comments on this advance notice must be received on or 
before August 8, 1997 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Director, Dairy and 
Sweeteners Analysis Group, Economic and Policy Analysis Staff, Farm 
Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0516, 1400 
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-0516 or fax (202) 690-
1480.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Colacicco at the above address 
or fax, or telephone (202) 690-0734.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 156(h) of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, 7 U.S.C. Sec. 7272, authorizes the 
Department of Agriculture to collect, on a monthly basis, information 
as the Secretary may require to administer sugar programs, including 
sales of sugarcane, sugar beets, and sugar, and production, 
importation, distribution, and stock levels of sugar. The Department is 
authorized to collect such data from sugarcane processors, sugar beet 
processors, and cane sugar refiners. Data presently available to FSA 
and the public to forecast loan collateral forfeitures, to determine 
the adequacy of domestic sugar supply, and to develop price forecasting 
models is considered less than adequate.
    To improve data availability, FSA could collect price data from 
sugarcane processors, sugar beet processors, and cane sugar refiners. 
Such data could represent the monthly average selling prices of raw 
sugar and refined sugar sold in bulk, or, spot prices could be 
collected. Prices could be f.o.b. plant or destination. Bulk sales 
could be defined as only unpackaged sugar sales. Alternatively, bulk 
sales could include sales made in 100 pound bags, or larger, adjusting 
these sales prices to exclude package costs.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of raw and 
refined sugar price data is necessary for the proper administration of 
the sugar program; (2) the price data to be collected; (3) estimates of 
the burden of price reporting on cane processors, sugar beet 
processors, and cane sugar refiners; (4) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of price information from those who would respond; 
and (5) the advantages and disadvantages of publishing aggregate price 
data.
    After the consideration of comments received in response to this 
advance notice, FSA will publish a notice.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on July 3, 1997.
Bruce R. Weber,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 97-17978 Filed 7-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P