USDA Proposes Fee Hike

WASHINGTON - Jul 15/05 - SNS -- The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking a fee increase for its Plant Variety Protection Office.

The proposed rule will increase the general fees for application, search, and certificate issuance by approximately 20 percent. In addition, other fees and services listed in the general fee schedule will also be increased. Supplemental fees, which were established in May 2005, will not be affected by this proposal.

"The current general fees, last increased in February 2003, are no longer adequate to cover current program obligations. The PVP Act of 1970, as amended, requires that reasonable fees be collected in order to maintain the program," the USDA said in seeking support for the increases.

The proposed action will amend regulations related to voucher seed samples. The proposal will permit seed samples to be submitted directly to the public repository, allowing for electronic submission of applications. A list of the proposed fee increases and direct seed deposit procedures may be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/science/pvpo/pvpindex.htm.

The proposed rule will be published in the July 15 Federal Register. Comments must be received on or before August 15, 2005. For further information, contact Paul Zankowski, Commissioner, Plant Variety Protection Office, Rm. ##035; 401, National Agricultural Library Building, 10301 Baltimore Blvd., Beltsville MD 20705.