2018-13889. 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: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

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 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.