USDA Boosts Lab Fees

WASHINGTON - Mar 29/07 - SNS -- The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will increase hourly fees charged for its Science and Technology Laboratory Services.

The AMS laboratory testing programs are voluntary, user fee services, conducted under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946. The AMA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide Federal analytical testing services that facilitate marketing and trade. In addition, consumers may be able to determine the quality and wholesomeness characteristics of a commodity or product through laboratory testing.

The rule will change hourly fee rates for standard, appeal, overtime and holiday services to reflect the anticipated yearly cost of providing these laboratory services for fiscal years 2007-2009. Current general fees, last increased in October 2000, are no longer adequate to cover program operating expenses. The hourly fee rates will increase to $60 per hour in fiscal year 2007, $63 per hour in 2008, and $67 per hour in 2009. These announced fee increases are necessary because the AMA requires that reasonable fees be collected in order to maintain the program.

The regulations are updated to identify current addresses. The rule also proposes Part 92 of Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations be removed and reserved. In addition, optional reference tables and schedules with listings of individual tests and services will no longer be available.

The final rule -- which goes into effect March 31, 2007 -- will be published in the March 30, 2007, Federal Register.