2024-09773. 2024/2025 Rates Charged for AMS Services

AGENCY:

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the 2024/2025 rates it will charge for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing, and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, rice, and cotton and tobacco. The 2024/2025 regular, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates will be applied at the beginning of the crop year, fiscal year or as required by law depending on the commodity. Other starting dates are added to this notice based on cotton industry practices. This action establishes the rates for user-funded programs based on costs incurred by AMS. This year, cost-based analyses indicated the need to increase user fee rates when current rates are insufficient to cover the costs of providing the service. While cost-saving measures have and will continue to be implemented, user fee rate increases are necessary to offset rising operational costs. In cases where current rates are sufficient to cover the costs of providing the service, user fee rates remain unchanged.

DATES:

May 7, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator, AMS, USDA, Room 2036-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; Telephone [phone], or Email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (AMA) (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), provides for the collection of fees to cover costs of various inspection, grading, certification, or auditing services covering many agricultural commodities and products. The AMA also provides for the recovery of costs incurred in providing laboratory services. The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471-476) and the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51-65) provide for classification of cotton and development of cotton standards materials necessary for cotton classification. The Cotton Futures Act (7 U.S.C. 15b) provides for futures certification services, and the Tobacco Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511-511s) provides for tobacco inspection and grading. These Acts also provide for the recovery of costs associated with these services.

On November 13, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Department) published in the Federal Register a final rule that established standardized formulas for calculating the fees charged by AMS user-funded programs (79 FR 67313). On the basis of rates calculated using these formulas, AMS is to determine the fee rates necessary to sustain program services. Every year since then, the Department has published in the Federal Register a notice announcing the rates for its user-funded programs.

This notice announces the 2024/2025 fee rates for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing, and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, rice, and cotton and tobacco on a per-hour rate and, in some instances, the equivalent per-unit cost. The per-unit cost is provided to facilitate understanding of the costs associated with the service to the industries that historically used unit-cost basis for payment. Fee rates will be effective at the beginning of the fiscal year, crop year, or as required by specific laws.

Rates reflect direct and indirect costs of providing services. Direct costs include the cost of salaries, employee benefits, and, if applicable, travel and some operating costs. Indirect or overhead costs include the cost of Program and Agency activities supporting the services provided to the industry. The formula used to calculate these rates also includes operating reserve, which may add to or draw upon the existing operating reserves.

These services include the grading, inspection, or certification of quality factors in accordance with established U.S. Grade Standards or other specifications; audits or accreditation according to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and/or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles; and other marketing claims. The quality grades serve as a basis for market prices and reflect the value of agricultural commodities to both producers and consumers. AMS' grading and certification, audit and accreditation, plant process and equipment verification, and laboratory approval services are voluntary tools paid for by the users on a fee-for-service basis. The agriculture industry can use these tools to promote and communicate the quality of agricultural commodities to consumers. Laboratory services are provided for analytic testing, including but not limited to chemical, microbiological, biomolecular, and physical analyses. AMS is required by statute to recover the costs associated with these services.

As required by the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471-476), consultations regarding the establishment of the fee for cotton classification with U.S. cotton industry representatives are held in the beginning of the year when most industry stakeholder meetings take place. Representatives of all segments of the cotton industry, including producers, ginners, bale storage facility operators, merchants, cooperatives, and textile manufacturers were informed of the fees during various industry-sponsored forums.

Rates Calculations

AMS calculated the rate for services, per hour per program employee, using the following formulas (a per-unit base is included for programs that charge for services on a per-unit basis):

(1) Regular rate. The total AMS grading, inspection, certification, classification, audit, or laboratory service program personnel direct pay divided by direct hours for the previous year, which is then multiplied by the next year's percentage of cost of living increase, plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate, plus the allowance for bad debt rate. If applicable, travel expenses may also be added to the cost of providing the service.

(2) Overtime rate. The total AMS grading, inspection, certification, classification, audit, or laboratory service program personnel direct pay divided by direct hours, which is then multiplied by the next year's percentage of cost of living increase and then multiplied by 1.5, plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate, plus an allowance for bad debt. If applicable, travel expenses may also be added to the cost of providing the service.

(3) Holiday rate. The total AMS grading, inspection, certification, classification, audit, or laboratory service program personnel direct pay divided by direct hours, which is then multiplied by the next year's percentage of cost of living increase and then multiplied by 2, plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate, plus an allowance for bad debt. If applicable, travel expenses may also be added to the cost of providing the service.

All rates are per-hour except when a per-unit cost is noted. The specific amounts in each rate calculation are available upon request from the specific AMS program.

2024/2025 Rates

	Regular	Overtime	Holiday	Includes travel costs in rate	Start date
Cotton Fees
7 CFR Part 27—Cotton Classification Under Cotton Futures Legislation
Subpart A—Requirements; §§ 27.80-27.90 Costs of Classification and Micronaire
Cotton Standardization:
Certification for Futures Contract (Grading services for samples submitted by CCC-licensed samplers)	$4.75/bale			X	August 1, 2024.
Transfer of Certification Data to New Owner or Certified Warehouse (Electronic transfer performed)	$0.20/bale or $5.00 per page minimum			X	August 1, 2024.
7 CFR Part 28—Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards
Subpart A—Regulations Under the United States Cotton Standards Act; §§ 28.115-28.126 Fees and Costs
Subpart D—Cotton Classification and Market News Service for Producers; § 28.909 Costs; § 28.910 Classification of Samples and Issuance of Classification Data; § 28.911 Review Classification.
Cotton Grading:
Form 1: Grading Services for Producers (submitted by licensed sampler)	$3.00/bale			X	July 1, 2024.
Form 1 Review (new sample submitted by licensed sampler)	$3.00/bale			X	July 1, 2024.
Form A Determinations (sample submitted by licensed warehouse)	$3.00/bale			X	July 1, 2024.
Form C Determinations (sample submitted by non-licensed entity; bale sampled under USDA supervision)	$3.00/bale				July 1, 2024.
Form D Determination (sample submitted by owner or agent; classification represents sample only)	$3.00/bale			X	July 1, 2024.
Foreign Growth Classification (sample of foreign growth cotton submitted by owner or agent; classification represents sample only)	$6.00/sample			X	August 1, 2024.
Arbitration (comparison of a sample to the official standards or a sample type)	$6.00/sample			X	August 1, 2024.
Practical Cotton Classing Exam (for non-USDA employees)	Exam: $150/applicant; Reexamination: $130/applicant			X	July 1, 2024.
Special Sample Handling (return of samples per request)	$0.50/sample			X	July 1, 2024.
Electronic Copy of Classification Record	$0.05/bale ($5.00/month minimum with any records received)			X	July 1, 2024.
Form A Rewrite (reissuance of Form 1, Form A, or Futures Certification data or combination)	$0.15/bale or $5.00/page minimum			X	August 1, 2024.
Form R (reissuance of Form 1 classification only)	$0.15/bale or $5.00/page minimum			X	July 1, 2024.
International Instrument Level Assessment	$4.00/sample			X	July 1, 2024.
Dairy Fees
7 CFR Part 58—Grading and Inspection, General Specifications for Approved Plants and Standards for Grades of Dairy Products
Subpart A—Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading Services of Manufactured or Processed Dairy Products; §§ 58.38—58.46 Fees and Charges
Continuous Resident Grading Service	$95.00	$116.00	$137.00	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Continuous Resident Grading Service 6 p.m.-6 a.m.	$105.00	$128.00	$151.00	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Non-resident and Intermittent Grading Service; State Graders	$120.00	$155.00	$190.00	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Non-resident Services 6 p.m.-6 a.m. (10 percent night differential)	$132.00	$171.00	$190.00	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Export Certificate Services	$104.00/certificate				Oct 1, 2024.
Equipment Review 1	$135.00	$192.00	$249.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Equipment Review 6 p.m.-6 a.m.1	$148.00	$211.00	$249.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Audit Services	$135.00			X	Oct 1, 2024.
Special Handling	$52.00/certificate				Oct 1, 2024.
Uncertified Copy of Certificate	$12.00/copy				Oct 1, 2024.
Derogation Application	$125.00/application				Oct 1, 2024.
Specialty Crops Fees
7 CFR Part 51—Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Inspection, Certification, and Standards)
Subpart A—Requirements; §§ 51.37-51.44 Schedule of Fees and Charges at Destination Markets; § 51.45 Schedule of Fees and Charges at Shipping Point Areas
Quality and Condition Inspections for Whole Lots	$254.00 per lot				Oct 1, 2024.
Quality and Condition Half Lot or Condition-Only Inspections for Whole Lots	$210.00 per lot				Oct 1, 2024.
Condition—Half Lot	$194.00 per lot				Oct 1, 2024.
Quality and Condition or Condition-Only Inspections for Additional Lots of the Same Product	$116.00 per lot				Oct 1, 2024.
Dockside Inspections—Each package weighing <30 lbs	$0.044 per pkg.				Oct 1, 2024.
Dockside Inspections—Each package weighing >30 lbs	$0.068/pkg.				Oct 1, 2024.
Charge per Individual Product for Dockside Inspection	$252.00/lot				Oct 1, 2024.
Charge per Each Additional Lot of the Same Product	$116.00/lot				Oct 1, 2024.
Inspections for All Hourly Work	$123.00	$163.00	$203.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Audit Services—Federal	$163.00				Oct 1, 2024.
Audit Services—State	$163.00				Oct 1, 2024.
GFSI Certification Fee 2	$250.00/audit				Oct 1, 2024.
7 CFR Part 52—Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Other Processed Food Products
Subpart A—Requirements Governing Inspection and Certification; §§ 52.41—52.51 Fees and Charges
Lot Inspections	$95.00	$123.00	$151.00		Oct 1, 2024.
In-plant Inspections Under Annual Contract (year-round)	$100.00	$126.00	$152.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Additional Graders (in-plant) or Less Than Year-Round	$100.00	$130.00	$160.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Audit Services—Federal	$163.00				Oct 1, 2024.
Audit Services—State	$163.00				Oct 1, 2024.
GFSI Certification Fee 2	$250.00/audit				Oct 1, 2024.
Meat Fees
7 CFR Part 54—Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards)
Subpart A—Grading of Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products; §§ 54.27-54.28 Charges for Service
Scheduled Grading	$92.00	$115.00	$139.00	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Unscheduled Grading	$123.00	$142.00	$166.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Scheduled Night Differential (6 p.m.-6 a.m.)	$102.00	$127.00	$139.00	X	Oct 1, 2024.
7 CFR Part 62—Agricultural Marketing Service Audit Verification and Accreditation Programs (AVAAP)
Subpart E—Fees; § 62.300 Fees and Other Costs of Service
Auditing Activities	$175.00	$244.00	$268.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Poultry Fees
7 CFR Part 56—Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs
Subpart A—Grading of Shell Eggs; §§ 56.45-56.54 Fees and Charges
7 CFR Part 70—Voluntary Grading of Poultry and Rabbit Products
Subpart A—Grading of Poultry and Rabbit Products; §§ 70.70-70.78 Fees and Charges
Scheduled Grading	$74.00	$96.00	$116.00	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Scheduled, Night Differential (6 p.m.-6 a.m.)	$82.00	$107.00	$116.00	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Scheduled, Sunday Differential	$95.00	$122.00	N/A	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Scheduled, Sunday and Night Differential	$106.00	$135.00	N/A	X	Oct 1, 2024.
Unscheduled Grading	$108.00	$133.00	$160.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Science and Technology Fees
7 CFR Part 91—Services and General Information
Subpart I—Fees and Charges; §§ 91.37-91.45
Laboratory Testing Services	$118.00	$137.00	$155.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Laboratory Approval Services 1	$188.00	$218.00	$249.00	X	Jan 1, 2025.
7 CFR Part 75—Provisions for Inspection and Certification of Quality of Agricultural and Vegetable Seeds
§ 75.41 General
Laboratory Testing	$75.00	$95.00	$119.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Administrative Fee	$17.00/certificate				Oct 1, 2024.
Auditing Services	$149.00	$173.00	$198.00		Oct 1, 2024.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Seed Schemes for Corn Seeds	$0.42/100 pounds				July 1, 2024.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Seed Schemes for Cotton, Soybeans, Sunflower, and Cereal Seeds	$0.34/100 pounds				July 1, 2024.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Seed Schemes for Other Seeds	$0.32/100 pounds				July 1, 2024.
Tobacco Fees
7 CFR Part 29—Tobacco Inspection
Subpart A—Policy Statement and Regulations Governing the Extension of Tobacco Inspection and Price Support Services to New Markets and to Additional Sales on Designated Markets;
Subpart B—Requirements; §§ 29.123—29.129 Fees and Charges; § 29.500 Fees and charges for inspection and acceptance of imported tobacco
Subpart F—Policy Statement and Provisions Governing the Identification and Certification of Non-quota Tobacco Produced and Marketed in Quota Area; § 29.9251 Fees and Charges
Domestic Permissive Inspection and Certification (re-grading of domestic tobacco for processing plants, retesting of imported tobacco, and grading tobacco for research stations.)	$55.00	$64.00	$72.00		July 1, 2024.
Export Permissive Inspection and Certification (grading of domestic tobacco for manufacturers and dealers for duty drawback consideration)	$0.0025/pound			X	July 1, 2024.
Grading for Risk Management Agency (for Tobacco Crop Insurance Quality Adjustment determinations)	$0.015/pound			X	July 1, 2024.
Pesticide Test Sampling (collection of certified tobacco sample and shipment to AMS National Science Laboratory for testing)	$0.0065/kg or $0.0029/pound			X	July 1, 2024.
Pesticide Retest Sampling (collection of certified tobacco sample from a previously sampled lot for re-testing at the AMS National Science Laboratory; fee includes shipping)	$115.00/sample and $55.00/hour			X	July 1, 2024.
Standards Course (training by USDA-certified instructor on tobacco grading procedures)	$1,250.00/person				July 1, 2024.
Import Inspection and Certification (grading of imported tobacco for manufacturers and dealers)	$0.0170/kg or $0.0080/pound			X	July 1, 2024.
Rice Fees
7 CFR Part 868—General Regulations and Standards for Certain Agricultural Commodities
Subpart A—Regulations; §§ 868.90-868.92 Fees
Contract (per hour per Service representative) 3	$79.30	$119.00	$158.60		Oct 1, 2024.
Noncontract (per hour per Service representative) 3	$99.10	$148.70	$198.30		Oct 1, 2024.
Export Port Services 4	$0.047/cwt				Oct 1, 2024.
Inspection for quality (per lot, sublot, or sample inspection):
Rough rice	$69.20				Oct 1, 2024.
Brown rice for processing	$65.00				Oct 1, 2024.
Milled rice	$57.70				Oct 1, 2024.
Factor analysis for any single factor (per sample):
Milling yield (Rough or Brown rice)	$54.00				Oct 1, 2024.
All other factors (all rice)	$41.90/factor				Oct 1, 2024.
Total oil and free fatty acid	$62.30				Oct 1, 2024.
Faxed and extra copies of certificates	$1.90/copy				Oct 1, 2024.
Stowage examination (service-on-request):
Ship	$49.40 (per stowage space, minimum 5 spaces per ship)				Oct 1, 2024.
Subsequent ship examinations	$49.40 (per stowage space, minimum 3 spaces per ship)				Oct 1, 2024.
Barge	$51.60/examination				Oct 1, 2024.
All other carriers	$18.40/examination				Oct 1, 2024.
Aflatoxin (Rapid Test Kit)	$47.90/test				Oct 1, 2024.
All Other Mycotoxins (Rapid Test Kit)	$54.00/test				Oct 1, 2024

Authority:7 U.S.C. 15b; 7 U.S.C. 473a-b; 7 U.S.C. 55 and 61; 7 U.S.C. 51-65; 7 U.S.C. 471-476; 7 U.S.C. 511-511s; and 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

Melissa Bailey,

Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Footnotes

1.  Travel costs outside the United States will be added to the fee, if applicable.

2.  Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Certification Fee—$250 per GFSI audit to recoup the costs associated with attaining technical equivalency to the GFSI benchmarking requirements.

3.  Original and appeal inspection services include Sampling, grading, weighing, and other services requested by the applicant when performed at the applicant's facility.

4.  Services performed at export locations on lots at rest.