Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) intends to request an extension for a currently approved information collection procedure for entry of specialty sugars into the United States as described in 7 CFR part 2011.

DATES:

Comments should be received on or before February 4, 2005 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Mail or deliver comments to Ron Lord, Deputy Director, Import Policies and Programs Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 1021, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ron Lord, at the address above, or telephone at (202) 720-2916 or e-mail at Ronald.Lord@fas.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Specialty Sugar Import Certificates.

OMB Number: 0551-0025.

Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2005.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The quota system established by Presidential Proclamation 4941 of May 5, 1982, prevented the importation of certain sugars used for specialized purposes which originated in countries which did not have quota allocations. Therefore, the regulation at 15 CFR part 2011 (Allocation of Tariff-Rate Quota on Imported Sugars, Syrups and Molasses, subpart B—Specialty Sugar) established terms and conditions under which certificates are issued permitting U.S. importers holding certificates to enter specialty sugars from specialty sugar source countries under the sugar tariff-rate quotas (TRQ). Nothing in this subpart affects the ability to enter specialty sugars at the over-TRQ duty rates. Applicants for certificates for the import of specialty sugars must supply the information required by 15 CFR 2011.205 to be eligible to receive a specialty sugar certificate. The specific information required on an application must be collected from those who wish to participate in the program in order to grant specialty sugar certificates, ensure that imported specialty sugar does not disrupt the current domestic sugar program, and administer the issuance of the certificates effectively.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2 hours per response.

Respondents: Importers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 30.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-2568.

Request for Comments: The public is invited to submit comments and suggestions to the above address regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any other aspect of this collection of information. Comments on issues covered by the Paperwork Reduction Act are most useful to OMB if received within 30 days of publication of the Notice and Request for Comments, but should be submitted no later than 60 days from the date of this publication to be assured of consideration. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also be a matter of public record. Persons with disabilities who require an alternative means for communication of information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).