[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33292-33293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12945]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 100 / Tuesday, May 23, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 33292]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of a Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice 
announces the Department's intention to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection in support of the Dairy 
Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing program.

DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than July 24, 2000 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND COMMENTS: Submit comments and/or requests 
for information to Richard P. Warsack, Dairy Import Quota Manager, STOP 
1021, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20250-1021, telephone (202) 720-9439 or e-mail 
[email protected]. All comments received will be available for 
public inspection in room 5541-S at the above address. Persons with 
disabilities who require an alternative means for communication of 
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
    Title: Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Program.
    OMB Number: 0551-0001.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The currently approved information collection supports 
Import Regulation 1, Revision 8 (7 CFR 6.20-6.37) which governs the 
administration of the import licensing system for certain dairy 
products subject to tariff-rate quotas (TRQs). The TRQs were 
established in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTS) as a result of entry into force of certain provisions in the 
Uruguay Round Agreement. Imports of nearly all cheese made from cow's 
milk (except soft-ripened cheese such as Brie) and certain noncheese 
dairy products are subject to TRQs and the licensing provisions of 
Revision 8. Import licenses are issued each quota year to eligible 
licensees and are valid for 12 months (January 1 through December 31). 
Holders of such licenses may enter dairy articles at the low-tier 
tariff rate. Importers who do not hold licenses may enter dairy 
articles at the high-tier tariff rate.
    For each quota year, all applicants must submit form FAS 923 (rev. 
7-96). This form requests applicants to: (1) identify whether they are 
applying for a license as an importer, manufacturer or exporter of 
certain dairy products; and (2) certify they meet the eligibility 
requirements of Sec. 6.23 of the Import Regulation. Importers and 
exporters must attach documentation required by Sec. 6.23 and Sec. 6.24 
as proof of eligibility for import licenses. Applicants for 
nonhistorical licenses for cheese and/or noncheese dairy products must 
also submit form FAS 923-A and/or FAS 924-B (rev. 7-96). This form 
requires applicants to identify requests for licenses listed on the 
form in descending rank-order.
    After licenses are issued, Sec. 6.26 requires licensees to 
surrender by October 1 any license amount that a licensee does not 
intend to enter that year. To the extent practicable, the Licensing 
Authority reallocates these amounts to existing licensees for the 
remainder of that year. The information collection includes form FAS 
924-A, License Surrender Form and FAS 924-B, Application for Additional 
License Amounts. These forms require the licensee to complete a table 
listing the license number and surrendered amount or to list the 
additional amounts requested by dairy article, supplying country and 
amount requested by descending rank-order.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of currently approved forms FAS 923, FAS 923-A and 923-B (one form) is 
estimated to average 255 hours; and FAS 924-A and FAS 924-B (one form) 
is 15 hours. The estimated average burden includes the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering data needed, completing forms, and 
record keeping are set forth in the table below.

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                                           FAS 923, 923-
                Estimates                    A, 923-B     FAS 924-A, 924-
                                            (Rev.7-96)     B (one form)
--------------------------------------------(one form)------------------
Est. number of respondents..............          340.00          100.00
Est. responses per respondent...........            1.00            1.00
Est. hours per response.................            0.75            0.15
Est. total annual burden in hours.......          255.00           15.00
                                         -------------------------------
    Aggregate total.....................      270.00 estimated annual
                                                 burden in hours.
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    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly 
Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
2568.
    The Department requests comments regarding the accuracy of the 
burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, or any other aspect of the collection of information.

[[Page 33293]]

    Comments should be submitted in accordance with the Dates, 
Additional Information and Comments sections above. All comments will 
be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval, and will 
also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C. on May 17, 2000.
Timothy J. Galvin,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12945 Filed 5-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P