The Senate Finance Committee has requested that the Commission prepare a report on the development and adoption of industrial biotechnology by the U.S. chemical and biofuel industries. The Commission is responsible for providing such reports on issues affecting trade and the U.S. domestic industry under Section 332 of the tariff Act of 1930. Questionnaire are needed to asses the impact of industrial biotechnology on the U.S. economy, and the competitive conditions affecting these industries.
Under section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332), the Commission conducts investigations into trade and tariff matters at the request of the President, the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. As noted above, the subject investigation was requested by the Senate Finance Committee with a deadline that necessitates prompt issuance of questionnaires. The Commission cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures under 5 CFR 1320.10(b) for this investigation. The biofuel and chemical industry questionnaires are tentatively scheduled to be mailed on or before September 14, 2007, in order to give the industry sufficient time to fill out the questionnaires, which are due back to the Commission by October 19, 2007. The collection of these data is integral to the successful fulfillment of the request of the Senate Finance Committee.
US Code:
19 USC 1332
Name of Law: Investigations
US Code:
19 USC 1333
Name of Law: Testimony and the Production of Papers
The burden increased because of a request from the Senate Finance Committee for a report on the development and adoption by the U.S. chemical and biofuel industry of industrial biotechnology. Such data is not publicly available. This is a one-time collection for such data. The request letter is attached as a supplemental document.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.