[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36992-36993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17649]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service


Request for Public Comments on Administration of the Specialty 
Sugar Allocation of the Refined Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests public comments on the administration of 
the allocation of the speciality sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ), which 
is an administrative breakout of the refined sugar TRQ provided for in 
Additional U.S. Note 5 (a)(i) of Chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States (HTS).

DATES: Comments should be received on or before July 31, 2001 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed or delivered to the Director, 
Import Policies and Programs Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., AgStop 
1021, Washington DC 20250-1021, or e-mailed to [email protected]. 
Comments received may be inspected between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at 
room 5531-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Blabey at the address above, 
or

[[Page 36993]]

telephone at (202) 720-2916, or e-mail at [email protected]. Persons 
with disabilities who require this request for comment in an 
alternative means of communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, 
etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 
and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USDA is preparing to establish the FY 2002 
speciality sugar allocation under which imports may enter under 
subheadings 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 1702.90.10, 2106.90.44 
of the HTS. Imports must be accompanied by a speciality sugar 
certificate issued by the USDA Certifying Authority to be eligible to 
enter under his TRQ allocation.
    USDA is proposing to administer the speciality sugar TRQ in two 
tranches. The first tranche would permit imports not exceeding 1,656 
metric tons raw value to enter under this TRQ beginning in October 
2001. All speciality sugars identified in 15 CFR 2011, Subpart B would 
be eligible for entry. When combined with other refined sugars, syrups, 
and molasses entered under the above HTS subheadings, this tranche 
would permit sufficient imports of specialty sugar to satisfy the 
requirement of Additional U.S. Note 5 of Chapter 17 of the HTS that the 
Secretary establish a TRQ of not less than 22,000 metric tons raw value 
annually for refined sugar.
    A second tranche would permit entry of speciality sugars not 
currently commercially produced in the United States or reasonably 
available from domestic sources. For FY 2002, USDA proposes to 
establish the quantity permitted entry under the second tranche at a 
level sufficient to assure that supplies of various types of specialty 
sugars meet domestic demand at reasonable prices. USDA would make known 
the size of the second tranche in its press release announcing the 
establishment of the FY 2002 refined sugar TRQ. The second tranche 
would be adjusted annually thereafter to reflect changing market 
conditions.
    USDA also proposes that beginning in FY 2002 all imports of 
specialty sugar entered under the TRQ must be entered in bags 
containing not more than 50 kilos of sugar stowed in containers. This 
is the traditional method of importing specialty sugars and is intended 
to facilitate enforcement of the Regulation for specialty sugar.
    USDA is soliciting comments on the above proposals for 
administering the specialty sugar TRQ and, in particular, solicits 
comments regarding appropriate dates for announcing the refined sugar 
TRQ and for opening of the second specialty sugar tranche.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on June 22, 2001.
Mattie R. Sharpless,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 01-17649 Filed 7-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M