[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66302-66303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9190]


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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 comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice 
announces the Foreign Agricultural Service's intention to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
the regulations governing the entry of raw cane sugar under the tariff-
rate quota (TRQ) into the United States.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 16, 2006 to 
be assured of consideration.
    Additional Information and Comments:
    Contact Ron Lord, Deputy Director, Import Policies and Programs 
Division, AgStop 1021, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 
20250-1021 or telephone (202) 720-2916, fax to (202) 720-0876, or e-
mail Ronald.[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Certificate for Quota Eligibility.
    OMB Number: 0551-0014.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2007.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the quantity of 
raw cane sugar, which may be entered at the TRQ duty rates. The terms 
under which Certificates for Quota Eligibility (CQEs) will be issued to 
foreign countries that have been allocated a share of the TRQ are set 
forth in 15 CFR Part 2011, Allocation of Tariff-rate Quota on Imported 
Sugars, Syrups, and Molasses, Subpart A--Certificates of Quota 
Eligibility. The authority for issuing CQEs is Additional U.S. Note 
5(b)(iv) to chapter 17 of the HTS. The regulation, promulgated by the 
United States Trade Representative, provides for the issuance of CQEs 
by the Secretary of Agriculture, and in general prohibits sugar subject 
to the TRQ from being imported into the United States or withdrawn from 
a warehouse for consumption at the TRQ duty rates unless such sugar is 
accompanied by a CQE. CQEs are issued to foreign countries by the 
Director of the Import Policies and Programs Division, Foreign 
Agriculture Service, or his or her designee. The issuance of CQEs is in 
such amounts and at such times as the

[[Page 66303]]

Director determines are appropriate to enable the foreign country to 
fill its quota allocation for such quota period in a reasonable manner, 
taking into account traditional shipping patterns, harvesting period, 
U.S. import requirements, and other relevant factors. The information 
required to be collected on the CQE is used to monitor and control the 
imports of raw can sugar. Proper completion of the CQE is mandatory for 
those foreign governments that are eligible and elect to export raw 
cane sugar to the United States under the TRQ.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for the collection 
varies in direct relation to the number of CQEs issued.
    Respondents: Foreign governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 40 (i.e., number of countries 
receiving a TRQ allocation).
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 30 per fiscal year.
    Estimated total annual reporting burden: 200 hours.
    Requests for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) Whether the 
information collection 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 collection of information including validity of the 
methodology and assumption used; (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. Copies of this information collection may be 
obtained from Tamoria Thompson-Hall, the Agency Information Collection 
Coordinator, at (202) 690-1690.
    Comments may be sent to Ron Lord, Deputy Director, Import Policies 
and Programs Division, AgStop 1021, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Washington, DC 20250-1021 or telephone (202) 720-2916 or e-mail Ronald. 
[email protected]. All comments received will be available for public 
inspection in room 5531-S at the above address. Persons with 
disabilities who require an alternative means of communication for 
information (Braille, large print, aduiotape, 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 complying with the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act which requires Government agencies, to the maximum 
extent feasible, to provide the public the option of electronically 
submitting information collection. CQEs permit exporters to ship raw 
cane sugar to the United States at the U.S. price, which is 
significantly higher than the world price for raw cane sugar. 
Therefore, in contrast to most information collection documents, CQEs 
have a monetary value equivalent to the substantial profits to 
exporters who can fill their raw cane sugar allocations under the TRQ. 
CQEs have always been carefully handled as secure documents, and issues 
only to foreign government-approved certifying authorities. The 
Department does not plan to make CQEs available electronically in order 
to prevent a potential proliferation of invalid CQEs, which could 
undermine the integrity of the TRQ system.

    Dated: Signed at Washington, DC on November 7, 2006.
Michael W. Yost,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 06-9190 Filed 11-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M