01-24113. 2001-2002 Allocations of the Tariff-Rate Quotas for Raw Cane Sugar, Refined Sugar, and Sugar Containing Products

AGENCY:

Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of the country-by-country allocations of the in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quotas for imported raw cane sugar, refined sugar, and sugar containing products for the period that begins October 1, 2001 and ends September 30, 2002.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Inquiries may be mailed or delivered to Sharon Sheffield, Director of Agricultural Trade Policy, Office of Agricultural Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sharon Sheffield, Office of Agricultural Affairs, 202-395-6127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to additional U.S. Note 5 to chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), the United States maintains tariff-rate quotas for imports of raw cane and refined sugar. Pursuant to additional U.S. Note 8 to chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, the United States also maintains a tariff-rate quota for certain sugar-containing products.

Section 404(d)(3) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3601(d)(3)) authorizes the President to allocate the in-quota quantity of a tariff-rate quota for any agricultural product among supplying countries or customs areas. The President delegated this authority to the United States Trade Representative under paragraph (3) of Presidential Proclamation No. 6763 (60 FR 1007).

The in-quota quantity of the raw cane tariff-rate quota for the period October 1, 2001-September 30, 2002, has been established by the Secretary of Agriculture at 1,254,983 metric tons, raw value (1,383,382 short tons). This quantity includes 1,117,195 metric tons, raw value, the minimum to which the United States is committed under the Uruguay Round Agreement, and 137,788 metric tons, raw value, which is the additional amount that the United States is providing to Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The quantity of 1,117,195 metric tons, raw value is being allocated to the following countries:

Country	FY 2002 allocation
Argentina	45,281
Australia	87,402
Barbados	7,371
Belize	11,583
Bolivia	8,424
Brazil	152,691
Colombia	25,273
Congo	7,258
Cote d'Ivoire	7,258
Costa Rica	15,796
Dominican Republic	185,335
Ecuador	11,583
El Salvador	27,379
Fiji	9,477
Gabon	7,258
Guatemala	50,546
Guyana	12,636
Haiti	7,258
Honduras	10,530
India	8,424
Jamaica	11,583
Madagascar	7,258
Malawi	10,530
Mauritius	12,636
Mexico	7,258
Mozambique	13,690
Nicaragua	22,114
Panama	30,538
Papua New Guinea	7,258
Paraguay	7,258
Peru	43,175
Philippines	142,160
South Africa	24,220
St. Kitts & Nevis	7,258
Swaziland	16,849
Taiwan	12,636
Thailand	14,743
Trinidad-Tobago	7,371
Uruguay	7,258
Zimbabwe	12,636

These allocations are based on the countries' historical trade to the United States. The allocations of the raw sugar tariff-rate quota to countries that are net importers of sugar are conditioned on receipt of the appropriate verifications of origin.

This allocation includes the following minimum quota-holding countries: Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Haiti, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Uruguay.

The in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota for refined sugar for the period October 1, 2001-September 30, 2002, has been established by the Secretary of Agriculture at 171,788 metric tons, raw value (189,364 short tons), of which the Secretary has reserved 13,656 metric tons (15,053 short tons) for specialty sugars. Of the quantity not reserved for specialty sugars, a total of 10,300 metric tons (11,354 short tons) is being allocated to Canada and 2,954 metric tons (3,256 short tons) is being allocated to Mexico. An additional 137,788 metric tons of this quantity is being allocated to Mexico to fulfill obligations pursuant to the NAFTA. This allocation is subject to NAFTA rules of origin and to the condition that the total imports of raw and refined sugar from Mexico, combined, may not exceed 137,788 metric tons raw value. The remaining 7,090 metric tons (7,815 short tons) of the in-quota quantity not reserved for specialty sugars may be supplied by any country on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to any other provision of law. The 13,656 metric tons (15,053 short tons) reserved for specialty sugars is also not being allocated among supplying countries and is available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to any other provision of law.

With respect to the tariff-rate quota for certain sugar-containing products maintained pursuant to additional U.S. Note 8 to Chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, 59,250 metric tons (65,312 short tons) of sugar containing products is being allocated to Canada. The remaining in-quota quantity for this tariff-rate quota is available to other countries on a first-come, first-served basis. Conversion factor: 1 metric ton = 1.10231125 short tons.

Allen F. Johnson,

Chief Agriculture Negotiator.