[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30398-30399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13889]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 25, 2018.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding (1) whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by July 30, 
2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 
725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to 
submit their comments to OMB via email to: [email protected] 
or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) 
may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Sugar Imported for Exports as Refined Sugar, as a Sugar-
Containing Product, or Used in Production of Certain Polyhydric 
Alcohols.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0015.
    Summary of Collection: The regulation at 7 CFR part 1530 authorizes 
the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to issue import licenses to 
enter raw

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cane sugar exempt from the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for the raw cane 
sugar imports and related requirements on the condition that an 
equivalent quantity of refined sugar be: (1) Exported as refined sugar; 
(2) exported as an ingredient in sugar containing products; or (3) used 
in production of certain polyhydric alcohols. The information 
requirements set forth in the regulation are necessary to enable FAS to 
administer the licensing program in full compliance with the regulation 
and to ensure that licensed imports do not enter the commercial sugar 
market in circumvention of the TRQ for raw cane sugar.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to 
verify that the world-priced sugar is actually exported and not 
diverted onto the domestic market, thereby undermining the objectives 
of politically sensitive U.S. sugar policies. This collection enables 
USDA to monitor participants in an effort to ensure compliance with 
program parameters. Without the collection, there would be increased 
opportunity to divert sugar onto the domestic market.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 325.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting; Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 414.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Specialty Sugar Certificate Application.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0025.
    Summary of Collection: The collect of information is necessary to 
fulfill the legal obligations of the regulation at 15 CFR 2011 subpart 
B to issue specialty sugar certificates, letters to importers signed by 
the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Certifying Authority, and 
ensuring that U.S. importers comply with the program's requirements. 
The regulation sets forth the terms and conditions under which the 
Certifying Authority in FAS issues certificates to importers allowing 
them to enter specialty sugars under the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for 
refined sugar.
    Need and Use of the Information: The collected information will be 
used to: (1) Determine whether applicants for the program meet the 
regulation's eligibility criteria; (2) ensure that sugar to be imported 
is specialty sugar and meets the requirements of the regulation; (3) 
audit participants' compliance with the regulation; and (4) prevent 
entry of world-priced program sugar from entering the domestic 
commercial market instead of domestic specialty sugar market. The 
Certifying Authority needs the information to manage, plan, evaluate, 
and account for program activities. Less frequent collection or no 
collection would impede administration of the specialty sugar 
certificate program and reduce or eliminate imports essential to U.S. 
organic food and beverages processors.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 60.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 66.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-13889 Filed 6-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-10-P