USDA Raises Grading Fees

WASHINGTON - Jul 22/05 - SNS -- The USADA will increase fees for certain grading services for eggs, poultry and rabbits, effective Sept. 25.

The increase will affect most processors who request egg, poultry and rabbit grading services. The basic hourly rate for resident service, work of a grader with a regular tour of duty at a plant, will rise from the current $34.36 to $36.36. In addition, the basic hourly rate for fee service, work on an intermittent, as-needed basis, will rise from the current $60.00 to $65.00 for regular hours and from $69.32 to $75.12 for weekend and holiday work.

Additionally, for plants using resident service, only the maximum monthly administrative fee for USDA supervision and for other overhead expenses will increase from $2,755 to $2,875 Other administrative charges would not be changed.

These grading services are made available upon request and paid for by the users. Current fees have been in effect since Jan. 1, 2004.