Notice2025-22717
Notice of Request for Information for Refined Sugar
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 15, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForeign Agricultural Service
Abstract
In accordance with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requests comments from the public on whether it would be necessary and appropriate to establish additional terms and conditions with respect to refined sugar imports, including comments on the potential impact of such modifications on the domestic sugar industry.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 238 (Monday, December 15, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 238 (Monday, December 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57951-57952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22717]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
[Docket ID FAS-25-0034]
Notice of Request for Information for Refined Sugar
AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of request for information.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) requests comments from the public on
whether it would be necessary and appropriate to establish additional
terms and conditions with respect to refined sugar imports, including
comments on the potential impact of such modifications on the domestic
sugar industry.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 14, 2025 to
be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: USDA invites submission of the requested information through
one of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for DOCKET ID FAS-25-0034. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Email: FAS will accept electronic submissions emailed to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c1f392b2d3e3f0c393f282d622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1e2c4d6d0c3c2f1c4c2d5d09fd6dec7">[email protected]</span></a>. The email should contain the subject line, ``Response
to RFI: Refined Sugar Study, Impacts on the Domestic Sugar Industry.''
<bullet> Mail, Courier, or Hand Delivery: Dylan Daniels, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Room 5933, Washington, DC 20250.
Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. All comments
submitted in response to this RFI will be included in the record and
will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the
substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or
entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure.
USDA will make the comments publicly available via <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dylan Daniels, Licensing Authority,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2370564442515063565047420d444c55"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4211372523303102373126236c252d34">[email protected]</span></a>.
Persons with disabilities who require an alternative means for
communication of information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
should contact <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0456455661757161777044717760652a636b72"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e6b4a7b4839793839592a693958287c8818990">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the One Big
Beautiful Bill Act, Public Law 119-21. Section 10312 of Public Law 119-
21 amended section 359k of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7
U.S.C. 1359kk), adding a new subsection requiring the Secretary of
Agriculture to conduct a study on whether the establishment of
additional terms and conditions on refined sugar imports is necessary
and appropriate. 7 U.S.C. 1359kk(d)(2)(A). The new subsection directs
the Secretary toexamine both the need for modifications to requirements
for refined sugar imports and the potential impact of such
modifications on the ``domestic sugar industry,'' defined as domestic
sugar beet producers and processors, producers and processors of sugar
cane, and refiners of raw cane sugar.
Request for Information
This RFI is a general solicitation for public input. This public
input, including comments from stakeholders involved directly or
indirectly in the importation of refined sugar, will inform USDA's
examination of whether additional terms and conditions on refined sugar
importation are necessary and appropriate.
Specifically, USDA requests comments on the following elements:
A. The need for the following:
1. Defining ``refined sugar'' as having a minimum polarization of
99.8 degrees or higher;
2. Establishing a standard for color- or reflectance-based units
for refined sugar such as those utilized by the International
Commission of Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis;
3. Prescribing specifications for the packaging type for refined
sugar;
4. Prescribing specifications for transportation modes for refined
sugar;
5. Requiring affidavits or other evidence that sugar imported as
refined sugar will not undergo further refining in the United States;
6. Prescribing appropriate terms and conditions to avoid unlawful
sugar imports; and
7. Establishing other definitions, terms and conditions, or other
requirements; and
B. The potential impacts of these modifications on the domestic
sugar industry.
Respondents may provide non-confidential input concerning any or
all of these elements. Any information obtained from this RFI is
intended to be used by the Government on a non-attribution basis for
determining
[[Page 57952]]
whether the establishment of additional terms and conditions for the
importation of refined sugar is necessary and appropriate. This RFI
does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts.
Your response to this notice will be treated as information only. FAS
will not reimburse any costs incurred in responding to this RFI.
Respondents are advised that FAS is under no obligation to acknowledge
receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents
with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Responses to
this RFI do not bind FAS to any further actions related to this topic.
Responses will become government property.
No confidential information, such as confidential business
information or proprietary information, should be submitted in comments
for this RFI. Comments received in response to this notice will be a
matter of public record and will be made available for public
inspection and posted without change and as received, including any
business information or personal information provided in the comments,
such as names and addresses. Please do not include anything in your
comment submission that you do not wish to share with the general
public.
Daniel B. Whitley,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-22717 Filed 12-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P
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