[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 191 (Monday, October 3, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 61074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25329]



[[Page 61074]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


USDA Increases the Fiscal Year 2011 Tariff-Rate Quota for Refined 
Sugar

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture today announced an increase in 
the fiscal year (FY) 2011 refined sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) of 
136,078 metric tons raw value (MTRV).

DATES: Effective: October 3, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angel F. Gonzalez, Import Policies and 
Export Reporting Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, AgStop 1021, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1021; or by 
telephone (202) 720-2916; or by fax to (202) 720-0876; or by e-mail to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A quantity of 22,000 MTRV for sugars, 
syrups, and molasses (collectively referred to as refined sugar) 
described in subheadings 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 
1702.90.10, and 2106.90.44 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 
is the minimum level necessary to comply with U.S. World Trade 
Organization Uruguay Round Agreements, of which 1,656 MTRV is the 
minimum quantity to be reserved for specialty sugar. On August 5, 2010, 
USDA established the FY 2011 (October 1, 2010--September 30, 2011) 
refined sugar TRQ at an aggregate quantity of 99,111 MTRV, of which 
20,344 MTRV, was refined sugar other than specialty sugar. On August 
17, 2010, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) allocated 
this refined sugar as follows: 10,300 MTRV to Canada; 2,954 MTRV to 
Mexico; and 7,090 MTRV to be administered on a first-come, first-served 
basis. On August 2, 2011, the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) 
increased the FY 2011 specialty sugar TRQ by 9,072 MTRV, resulting in 
an FY 2011 specialty sugar TRQ to 87,839 MTRV, and an FY 2011 refined 
sugar TRQ to 108,183 MTRV.
    The Secretary today announced an increase in the FY 2011 refined 
sugar TRQ of 136,078 MTRV, to a total of 244,261 MTRV. The authority to 
increase the refined sugar TRQ is found in the HTS, Chapter 17, 
Additional U.S. Note 5(a)(ii). The Secretary also announced that sugar 
entering under the FY 2011 refined sugar TRQ would be permitted to 
enter until November 30, 2011. Authority for the Secretary to permit 
entry of sugar in a subsequent quota period is found in the HTS, 
Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 5(a)(iv).
    USTR will allocate this increase among supplying countries and 
customs areas. This action is being taken after a determination that 
additional supplies of refined sugar are necessary to reduce risks 
associated with adverse weather and other supply disruptions. Harvest 
of the FY 2012 sugar beet crop is significantly slower to date than 
during several of the previous fiscal years. USDA will closely monitor 
stocks, consumption, imports and all sugar market and program variables 
on an ongoing basis.
    * Conversion factor: 1 metric ton = 1.10231125 short tons.

    Dated: September 27, 2011.
Darci L. Vetter,
Acting Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-25329 Filed 9-30-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P