[Federal Register: May 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 97)] [Notices] [Page 27781-27782] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20my98-105] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Allocation of the 200,000 Metric Ton Increase in the Amount Available Under the Raw Cane Sugar Tariff-rate Quota 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 allocation among supplying countries and customs areas for the 200,000 metric ton increase in the amount available under the current raw cane sugar tariff-rate quota triggered by the fact that the stocks to use ratio for sugar reported in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates on May 12, 1998, was 14.2 percent. EFFECTIVE DATE: May 20, 1998. ADDRESSES: Inquiries may be mailed or delivered to Elizabeth Jones, Economist, Office of Agricultural Affairs (Room 415), Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20508. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Jones, 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 a tariff-rate quota for imports of raw cane sugar. On September 17, 1997, the Secretary of Agriculture announced the in-quota quantity for the tariff-rate quota for raw cane sugar for the period October 1, 1997-September 30, 1998, and announced an administrative plan under which the quantity available would be increased by 200,000 metric tons, raw value, if the stocks-to-use ratio reported in the May 1998 U.S. Department of Agriculture's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) is less than or equal to 15.5 percent. On May 12, 1998, the WASDE reported a stocks to use ratio of 14.2 percent, thereby triggering a 200,000 metric ton increase in the quantity available under the tariff-rate quota. 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). Additional U.S. Note 5(b)(i) to chapter 17 of the HTS also provides that the quota amounts established under that note may be allocated among supply countries and areas by the United States Trade Representative. Raw cane sugar allocation Accordingly, USTR is allocating the 200,000 metric ton increase in the amount available under the raw can sugar tariff-rate quota to the following countries or areas in metric tons, raw value. This allocation is based on the countries' historical trade to the United States: [[Page 27782]] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Current FY County 1998 Additional New FY 1998 allocation allocation allocation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Argentina........................ 56,832 8,731 65,563 Australia........................ 109,699 16,853 126,552 Barbados......................... 7,830 0 7,830 Belize........................... 14,538 2,234 16,772 Bolivia.......................... 10,573 1,624 12,198 Brazil........................... 191,642 29,442 221,084 Colombia......................... 31,720 4,873 36,593 Congo............................ 7,258 0 7,258 Cote d'Ivoire.................... 7,258 0 7,258 Costa Rica....................... 19,825 3,046 22,871 Dominican Republic............... 232,614 35,736 268,350 Ecuador.......................... 14,538 2,234 16,772 El Salvador...................... 34,363 5,279 39,643 Figi............................. 11,895 1,827 13,722 Gabon............................ 7,258 0 7,258 Guatemala........................ 63,440 9,746 73,186 Guyana........................... 15,860 2,437 18,297 Haiti............................ 7,258 0 7,258 Honduras......................... 13,217 2,030 15,247 India............................ 10,573 1,624 12,198 Jamaica.......................... 14,538 2,234 16,772 Madagascar....................... 7,258 0 7,258 Malawi........................... 13,217 2,030 15,247 Mauritius........................ 15,860 2,437 18,297 Mexico........................... 25,000 0 25,000 Mozambique....................... 17,182 2,640 19,821 Nicaraque........................ 27,755 4,264 32,019 Panama........................... 38,328 5,888 44,217 Papua New Guinea................. 7,258 0 7,258 Paraguay......................... 7,258 0 7,258 Peru............................. 54,189 8,325 62,513 Philippines...................... 178,426 27,411 205,837 South Africa..................... 30,398 4,670 35,069 St. Kitts & Nevis................ 7,258 0 7,258 Swaziland........................ 21,147 3,249 24,395 Taiwan........................... 15,860 2,437 18,297 Thailand......................... 18,503 2,843 21,346 Trinidad-Tobago.................. 9,252 1,421 10,673 Uruguay.......................... 7,258 0 7,258 Zimbabwe......................... 15,860 2,437 18,297 -------------------------------------- Total........................ 1,4000,000 200,000 1,600,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Each allocation to a country that is a net importer of sugar is conditioned on compliance with the requirements of section 902(c)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C 1446g note). Charlene Barshefsky, United States Trade Representative. [FR Doc. 98-13378 Filed 5-19-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190-01-M