[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 65 (Friday, April 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 18913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07164]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 65 / Friday, April 3, 2020 / 
Notices  

[[Page 18913]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Fiscal Year 2020 Tariff-Rate Quotas Increased for Raw Cane Sugar 
and Refined Sugar

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (the Secretary) is providing notice of an increase in the 
fiscal year (FY) 2020 sugar tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) of 317,515 metric 
tons raw value (MTRV) for raw cane sugar, and 181,437 MTRV for refined 
sugar.

DATES: This notice is applicable on April 3, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Multilateral Affairs Division, Trade Policy and Geographic 
Affairs, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Stop 1070, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-1070.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Souleymane Diaby, (202) 720-2916, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 27, 2019, the Secretary established 
the FY 2020 TRQ for raw cane sugar at 1,117,195 MTRV, the minimum to 
which the United States is committed under the World Trade Organization 
(WTO) Uruguay Round Agreements. Pursuant to Additional U.S. Note 5 to 
Chapter 17 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Section 
359k of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, the 
Secretary has authority to modify the raw and refined sugar WTO TRQs. 
The Secretary gives notice today of an increase in the quantity of raw 
cane sugar eligible to enter at the lower rate of duty during FY 2020 
by 317,515 MTRV. The conversion factor is 1 metric ton raw value equals 
1.10231125 short tons raw value. With this increase, the overall FY 
2020 raw sugar TRQ is now 1,434,710 MTRV. Raw cane sugar under this 
quota must be accompanied by a certificate for quota eligibility and 
may be entered until September 30, 2020. The Office of the U.S. Trade 
Representative (USTR) will allocate this increase among supplying 
countries and customs areas.
    On June 27, 2019, USDA established the FY 2020 refined sugar TRQ at 
an aggregate quantity of 192,000 MTRV, of which 20,344 MTRV was 
reserved for refined sugar other than specialty sugar. On July 15, 
2019, USTR allocated this refined sugar TRQ as follows: 10,300 MTRV to 
Canada; 2,954 MTRV to Mexico; 7,090 MTRV to be administered on a first-
come, first-served basis; and 171,656 MTRV for specialty sugar. Today, 
the Secretary announces an increase in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 
refined sugar TRQ of 181,437 MTRV, to a total of 373,437 MTRV. USTR 
will allocate this refined sugar TRQ increase. Only refined sugar with 
a sucrose content, by weight in the dry state, corresponding to a 
reading of 99.5 degrees polarity or more will be permitted.
    These actions are being taken after a determination that additional 
supplies of raw cane and refined sugar are required in the U.S. market. 
USDA will closely monitor stocks, consumption, imports and all sugar 
market and program variables on an ongoing basis and may make further 
program adjustments during FY 2020 if needed.

Ted McKinney,
Under Secretary, Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-07164 Filed 4-1-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P