[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32726-32727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13603]


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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 August 1, 2003 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND COMMENTS: Contact Michael Hankin, Dairy 
Import Quota Manager, STOP 1021, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1021, telephone (202) 
720-9439.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Program.
    OMB Number: 0551-0001.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The currently approved information collection supports 
the Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Regulation (the Regulation) (7 CFR 
6.20-6.37) which governs the administration of the import licensing 
system applicable to most 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 of certain provisions in 
the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465) that converted 
existing absolute quotas to TRQs. Imports of nearly all cheese made 
from cow's milk (except soft-ripened cheese such as Brie) and certain 
non-cheese dairy products (including butter and dried milk) are subject 
to TRQs and the Regulation. Licenses are issued each quota year to 
eligible applicants and are valid for twelve months (January 1 through 
December 31). Only licensees may enter dairy articles at low-tier TRQ 
tariff-rates. Importers who do not hold licenses may enter dairy 
articles only at high-tier TRQ tariff-rates.
    Each quota year, all applicants must submit form FAS 923 (rev. 7-
96). This form requires applicants to: (1) Certify they are either an 
importer, manufacturer or exporter of certain dairy products; (2) 
certify they meet the eligibility requirements of Sec.  6.23 of the 
Regulation; and (3) submit documentation required by Sec.  6.23 and 
Sec.  6.24 as proof of eligibility for import licenses. Applicants for 
non-historical licenses must also submit form FAS 923-A (rev. 7-96) 
(cheese) and/or FAS 923-B (rev. 7-96) (non-cheese dairy products). This 
form requires applicants to request licenses in descending order of 
preference for specific products and countries listed on the form.
    After licenses are issued, Sec.  6.26 requires licensees to 
surrender by October 1 on form FAS 924-A, License Surrender Form, any 
license amount that a licensee does not intend to enter that year. 
These amounts are reallocated, to the extent practicable, to existing 
licensees for the remainder of that year based on requests submitted on 
form FAS 924-B, Application for Additional License Amounts. Form 924A 
and 924B requires the licensee to complete a scannable table listing 
the surrendered amount by license number, or listing the additional 
amounts requested by dairy article, supplying country and amount 
requested, in descending order of preference.
    The estimated total annual burden of 270 hours in the OMB inventory 
for the currently approved information collection will be increased by 
156 hours to 426 hours. The estimated public reporting burden for this 
collection of currently approved FAS 923, FAS 923-A, and 923-B (one 
form) (rev. 7-96) is estimated to average 405 hours; and FAS 924-A and 
FAS 924-B (one form) is 21 hours. The estimated increase in burden 
hours is based on an increase in the number of respondents which has 
primarily resulted from the growing domestic interest in importing 
cheeses.
    Estimate of burden: The average burden, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering data needed, completing forms, and 
record keeping is estimated at .75 hour for form FAS 923, 923-A, 923-B 
(rev. 7-96) and .15 hour for form 924-A, 924-B.
    Respondents: Importers and manufacturers of cheese and non-cheese 
dairy products, and exporters of non-cheese dairy products.
    Estimated number of respondents: 540 for form FAS 923, 923-A, 923-B 
(rev. 7-96) and 140 for form 924-A, 924-B (rev. 7-96).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 426 hours.

[[Page 32727]]

    Requests for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Michael Hankin, Import Policies and 
Program Division, FAS, 1400 Independence Avenue, Stop 1021, SW., 
Washington, DC 20520-1021 or [email protected]., or to the 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Persons 
with disabilities who require an alternative means of communication of 
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). All responses 
to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments also will become a matter of public record.
    FAS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act (GPEA), which requires Government agencies, in general, 
to provide the public the option of submitting information or 
transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible. 
Electronic submission of the information collection will be implemented 
before October 2003 in compliance with the GPEA. The Department will 
request OMB approval of forms that are being developed for electronic 
submission of the information collection, and issue a Federal Register 
notice soliciting public comments on the requested revision of the 
information collection to provide for submission of the information 
collection on electronic forms. All public comments received will be 
considered prior to implementation of an electronic reporting system, 
and will also become a matter of public record. Copies of that 
information collection will be made available from Kimberly Chisley, 
the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-2568 or e-
mail at [email protected].

    Signed at Washington, DC, on April 30, 2003.
A. Ellen Terpstra,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 03-13603 Filed 5-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M