83 FR 22239 - 2018 Rates Charged for AMS Services
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 93 (May 14, 2018)
Agricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 93 (May 14, 2018)
| Page Range | 22239-22243 | |
| FR Document | 2018-10132 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 93 (Monday, May 14, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 22239-22243] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-10132] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 93 / Monday, May 14, 2018 / Notices [[Page 22239]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Document No. AMS-LPS-18-0020] 2018 Rates Charged for AMS Services AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the 2018 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, and cotton and tobacco. The 2018 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 the majority of AMS user fee rates will remain unchanged, with the exception of increases for meat, poultry and egg grading and the hourly rate for AMS's Laboratory Approval Service. DATES: May 15, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Parrott, AMS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 3070-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 260-9144, fax (202) 692-0313, email [email protected]. 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 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). 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 2018 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, 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. The fee rates will be effective at the beginning of the fiscal year, crop year, or as required by specific laws. The cotton futures-related services effective date has been changed to August 1 to allow for cotton contracts to expire before starting a new fee rate. The 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. In recent years, many buyers have begun to specifically require that their producers be certified to a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked scheme. At the request of industry, AMS is starting a new voluntary program that provides GFSI's recognition of the USDA GAP audit verification program. This voluntary program will allow producers to use AMS' trusted and proven services to gain wider market access. Accordingly, AMS is including its voluntary GFSI service audit fee in this notice. The fee includes the fixed cost to maintain GFSI recognition. 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): [[Page 22240]] (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. AMS adjusts the rates to cover all of its expenses and to provide for reasonable operating reserves. To avoid an undue burden on industry operations in these cases, AMS started to phase in some of the increases over a multi-year period. AMS continued this process and reassessed whether the fee rates and phase-in period were appropriate based on the formula and established operating reserve. Fees are being adjusted accordingly. 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. 2018 Rates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Includes Regular Overtime Holiday travel costs Start date in rate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton Fees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 27--Cotton Classification Under Cotton Futures Legislation Subpart A--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 27.80-27.90 Costs of Classifications and Micronaire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton Standardization -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Certification for Futures Contract (Grading $4.25/bale X August 1, 2018. services for samples submitted by CCC-licensed samplers). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer of Certification Data to New Owner or $0.20/bale or $5.00 per page minimum X August 1, 2018. Certified Warehouse (Electronic transfer performed). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 28--Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards Subpart A--Regulations Under the United States Cotton Standards Act; Sec. Sec. 28.115-28.126 Fees and Costs...................................... Subpart D--Cotton Classification and Market News Service for Producers; Sec. 28.909 Costs; Sec. 28.910 Classification of Samples and Issuance of Classification Data; Sec. 28.911 Review Classification. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton Grading -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form 1: Grading Services for Producers $2.30/bale X July 1, 2018. (submitted by licensed sampler). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form 1 Review (new sample submitted by licensed $2.30/bale X July 1, 2018. sampler). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form A Determinations (sample submitted by $2.30/bale X July 1, 2018. licensed warehouse). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form C Determinations (sample submitted by non- $2.30/bale ............... July 1, 2018. licensed entity; bale sampled under USDA supervision). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form D Determination (sample submitted by owner $2.30/bale X July 1, 2018. or agent; classification represents sample only). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign Growth Classification (sample of $6.00/sample X August 1, 2018. foreign growth cotton submitted by owner or agent; classification represents sample only). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arbitration (comparison of a sample to the $6.00/sample X August 1, 2018. official standards or a sample type). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Practical Cotton Classing Exam (for non-USDA Exam: $150/applicant X July 1, 2018. employees). Reexamination: $130/applicant -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Sample Handling (return of samples per $0.50/sample X July 1, 2018. request). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 22241]] Electronic Copy of Classification Record....... $0.05/bale ($5.00/month minimum with any X July 1, 2018. records received) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form A Rewrite (reissuance of Form 1, Form A, $0.15/bale or $5.00/page minimum X August 1, 2018. or Futures Certification data or combination). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form R (reissuance of Form 1 classification $0.15/bale or $5.00/page minimum X July 1, 2018. only). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Instrument Level Assessment...... $4.00/sample X July 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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; Sec. Sec. 58.38-58.46 Fees and Charges. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Continuous Resident Grading Service............ $76.00 $90.92 $107.24 X Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-resident and Intermittent Grading Service; 82.00 96.76 116.64 X Oct 1, 2018. State Graders; Equipment Review. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-resident Services 6 p.m.-6 a.m. (10 percent 90.20 106.44 128.32 X Oct 1, 2018. night differential). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Export Certificate Services.................... 82.00 N/A N/A ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Handling............................... 41.00 N/A N/A ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fax Charge..................................... 4.00 N/A N/A ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derogation Application......................... 123.00 N/A N/A ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Specialty Crops Fees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 51--Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Inspection, Certification, and Standards Subpart A--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 51.37-51.44 Schedule of Fees and Charges at Destination Markets; Sec. 51.45 Schedule of Fees and Charges at Shipping Point Areas. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quality and Condition Inspections for Whole $191.00 per lot ............... Oct 1, 2018. Lots. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quality and Condition Half Lot or Condition- $159.00 per lot ............... Oct 1, 2018. Only Inspections for Whole Lots. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Condition--Half Lot............................ $146.00 per lot ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quality and Condition or Condition-Only $87.00 per lot ............... Oct 1, 2018. Inspections for Additional Lots of the Same Product. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dockside Inspections--Each package weighing < $0.044 per pkg. ............... Oct 1, 2018. 30 lbs.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dockside Inspections--Each package weighing > $0.068 per pkg. ............... Oct 1, 2018. 30 lbs.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charge per Individual Product for Dockside $174.00 per lot ............... Oct 1, 2018. Inspection. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charge per Each Additional Lot of the Same $79.00 per lot ............... Oct 1, 2018. Product. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspections for All Hourly Work................ $85.00 $112.00 $148.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Audit Services--Federal........................ $108.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Audit Services--State.......................... $108.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GFSI Certification Fee......................... $250 per audit ............... Oct 1, 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 52--Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Other Processed Food Products Subpart--Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification; Sec. Sec. 52.41-52.51 Fees and Charges.............................................. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lot Inspections................................ $75.00 $95.00 $116.00 X Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In-plant Inspections Under Annual Contract 72.00 92.00 112.00 X Oct 1, 2018. (year-round). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 22242]] Additional Graders (in-plant) or Less Than Year- 83.00 106.00 128.00 X Oct 1, 2018. Round. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Audit Services--Federal........................ $108.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Audit Services--State.......................... $108.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GFSI Certification Fee......................... $250 per audit ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meat and Livestock Fees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 54--Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards) Subpart A--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 54.27-54.28 Charges for Service................................................................................ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commitment Grading............................. $74.00 $91.00 $109.00 X Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-commitment Grading......................... 99.00 115.00 134.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Differential (6 p.m.-6 a.m.)............. 81.00 100.00 120.00 X Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 62--Livestock, Meat and Other Agricultural Commodities (Quality Systems Verification Programs) Subpart A--Quality Systems Verification Definitions; Sec. 62.300 Fees and Other Costs for Service................................................. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Auditing Activities............................ $108.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Poultry Fees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 56--Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs Subpart A--Grading of Shell Eggs; Sec. Sec. 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; Sec. Sec. 70.70-70.78 Fees and Charges........................................................ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Resident Service (in-plant).................... \1\ $52.00 \1\ $69.00 \1\ $85.00 X Oct 1, 2018. Resident, Night Differential (6 p.m.-6 a.m.)... \1\ 55.00 \1\ 77.00 \1\ 95.00 X Oct 1, 2018. Resident, Sunday Differential.................. \1\ 64.00 \1\ 86.00 N/A X Oct 1, 2018. Resident, Sunday and Night Differential........ \1\ 71.00 \1\ 96.00 N/A X Oct 1, 2018. Fee Service (non-scheduled).................... 90.00 111.00 134.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. Audit Service.................................. $108.00 .............. .............. ............... Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Science and Technology Fees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 91--Services and General Information (Science and Technology) Subpart I--Fees and Charges; Sec. Sec. 91.37-91.45............................................................................................... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Laboratory Testing Services.................... $88.00 $104.00 $120.00 ............... Oct 1, 2018. Laboratory Approval Services \3\............... 188.00 212.00 236.00 X Jan 1, 2019. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 CFR Part 75--Regulations for Inspection and Certification of Quality of Agricultural and Vegetable Seeds Sec. 75.41 General................................................................................................................................ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Laboratory Testing............................. $58.00 $86.00 $115.00 X Oct 1, 2018. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrative Fee............................. $14.50 per .............. .............. ............... Oct 1, 2018. certificate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 29.123-29.129 Fees and Charges; Sec. 29.500 Fees and charges for inspection and acceptance of imported tobacco. Subpart F--Policy Statement and Regulations Governing the Identification and Certification of Non-quota Tobacco Produced and Marketed in Quota Area; Sec. 29.9251 Fees and Charges. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Domestic Permissive Inspection and $55.00 $64.00 $72.00 ............... July 1, 2018. Certification (re-grading of domestic tobacco for processing plants, retesting of imported tobacco, and grading tobacco for research stations). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 22243]] Export Permissive Inspection and Certification $0.0025/pound X July 1, 2018. (grading of domestic tobacco for manufacturers and dealers for duty drawback consideration). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grading for Risk Management Agency (for Tobacco $0.015/pound X July 1, 2018. Crop Insurance Quality Adjustment determinations). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pesticide Test Sampling (collection of $0.0065/kg or $0.0029/pound X July 1, 2018. certified tobacco sample and shipment to AMS National Science Laboratory for testing). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pesticide Retest Sampling (collection of $115.00/sample and $55.00/hour X July 1, 2018. certified tobacco sample from a previously sampled lot for re-testing at the AMS National Science Laboratory; fee includes shipping). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Standards Course (training by USDA-certified $1,250.00/person ............... July 1, 2018. instructor on tobacco grading procedures). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Import Inspection and Certification (grading of $0.0170/kg or $0.0080/pound X July 1, 2018. imported tobacco for manufacturers and dealers). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Administrative charges are applied in addition to hourly rates for resident service as specified in Part 56, Subpart A, Sec. 56.52(a)(4); Part 56, Subpart A, Sec. 56.54(a)(2); Part 70, Subpart A, Sec. 70.76(a)(2); Part 70, Subpart A, Sec. 70.77(a)(4) and Part 70, Subpart A, Sec. 70.77(a)(5). \3\ Travel costs outside the United States will be added to the fee, if applicable. 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. Dated: May 8, 2018. Bruce Summers, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2018-10132 Filed 5-11-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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Notices Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 93
Monday, May 14, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER also provides for the recovery of costs specifications; audits or accreditation
contains documents other than rules or incurred in providing laboratory according to International Organization
proposed rules that are applicable to the services. The Cotton Statistics and for Standardization (ISO) standards and/
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471–476) and or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
committee meetings, agency decisions and the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. Point (HACCP) principles; and other
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
51–65) provide for classification of marketing claims. The quality grades
statements of organization and functions are cotton and development of cotton serve as a basis for market prices and
examples of documents appearing in this standards materials necessary for cotton reflect the value of agricultural
section. classification. The Cotton Futures Act (7 commodities to both producers and
U.S.C. 15b) provides for futures consumers. AMS’ grading and
certification services and the Tobacco certification, audit and accreditation,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511–511s) plant process and equipment
provides for tobacco inspection and verification, and laboratory approval
Agricultural Marketing Service grading. These Acts also provide for the services are voluntary tools paid for by
[Document No. AMS–LPS–18–0020] recovery of costs associated with these the users on a fee-for-service basis. The
services. agriculture industry can use these tools
2018 Rates Charged for AMS Services On November 13, 2014, the to promote and communicate the
Department of Agriculture (Department) quality of agricultural commodities to
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, published in the Federal Register a final consumers. Laboratory services are
USDA. rule that established standardized provided for analytic testing, including
ACTION: Notice. formulas for calculating the fees charged but not limited to chemical,
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing by AMS user-funded programs (79 FR microbiological, biomolecular, and
Service (AMS) is announcing the 2018 67313). Every year since then, the physical analyses. AMS is required by
rates it will charge for voluntary Department has published in the statute to recover the costs associated
grading, inspection, certification, Federal Register a notice announcing with these services.
auditing, and laboratory services for a the rates for its user–funded programs. In recent years, many buyers have
variety of agricultural commodities This notice announces the 2018 fee begun to specifically require that their
including meat and poultry, fruits and rates for voluntary grading, inspection, producers be certified to a Global Food
vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and certification, auditing, and laboratory Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked
cotton and tobacco. The 2018 regular, services for a variety of agricultural scheme. At the request of industry, AMS
overtime, holiday, and laboratory commodities including meat and is starting a new voluntary program that
services rates will be applied at the poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, provides GFSI’s recognition of the
beginning of the crop year, fiscal year or dairy products, and cotton and tobacco USDA GAP audit verification program.
as required by law depending on the on a per-hour rate and, in some This voluntary program will allow
commodity. Other starting dates are instances, the equivalent per-unit cost. producers to use AMS’ trusted and
added to this notice based on cotton The per-unit cost is provided to proven services to gain wider market
industry practices. This action facilitate understanding of the costs access. Accordingly, AMS is including
establishes the rates for user-funded associated with the service to the its voluntary GFSI service audit fee in
programs based on costs incurred by industries that historically used unit- this notice. The fee includes the fixed
AMS. This year the majority of AMS cost basis for payment. The fee rates cost to maintain GFSI recognition.
user fee rates will remain unchanged, will be effective at the beginning of the As required by the Cotton Statistics
with the exception of increases for meat, fiscal year, crop year, or as required by and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471–476),
poultry and egg grading and the hourly specific laws. The cotton futures-related consultations regarding the
rate for AMS’s Laboratory Approval services effective date has been changed establishment of the fee for cotton
Service. to August 1 to allow for cotton contracts classification with U.S. cotton industry
to expire before starting a new fee rate. representatives are held in the
DATES: May 15, 2018. The rates reflect direct and indirect beginning of the year when most
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: costs of providing services. Direct costs industry stakeholder meetings take
Charles Parrott, AMS, U.S. Department include the cost of salaries, employee place. Representatives of all segments of
of Agriculture, Room 3070–S, 1400 benefits, and, if applicable, travel and the cotton industry, including
Independence Ave. SW, Washington, some operating costs. Indirect or producers, ginners, bale storage facility
DC 20250; telephone (202) 260–9144, overhead costs include the cost of operators, merchants, cooperatives, and
fax (202) 692–0313, email Program and Agency activities textile manufacturers were informed of
charles.parrott@ams.usda.gov. supporting the services provided to the the fees during various industry-
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The industry. The formula used to calculate sponsored forums.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as these rates also includes operating
amended, (AMA) (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), reserve, which may add to or draw upon Rates Calculations
provides for the collection of fees to the existing operating reserves. AMS calculated the rate for services,
cover costs of various inspection, These services include the grading, per hour per program employee, using
grading, certification or auditing inspection or certification of quality the following formulas (a per-unit base
services covering many agricultural factors in accordance with established is included for programs that charge for
commodities and products. The AMA U.S. Grade Standards or other services on a per-unit basis):
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 93 / Monday, May 14, 2018 / Notices 22243
2018 RATES—Continued
Includes
Regular Overtime Holiday travel costs Start date
in rate
Export Permissive Inspection and Certification (grading $0.0025/pound X July 1, 2018.
of domestic tobacco for manufacturers and dealers for
duty drawback consideration).
Grading for Risk Management Agency (for Tobacco $0.015/pound X July 1, 2018.
Crop Insurance Quality Adjustment determinations).
Pesticide Test Sampling (collection of certified tobacco $0.0065/kg or $0.0029/pound X July 1, 2018.
sample and shipment to AMS National Science Lab-
oratory for testing).
Pesticide Retest Sampling (collection of certified tobacco $115.00/sample and $55.00/hour X July 1, 2018.
sample from a previously sampled lot for re-testing at
the AMS National Science Laboratory; fee includes
shipping).
Standards Course (training by USDA-certified instructor $1,250.00/person ........................ July 1, 2018.
on tobacco grading procedures).
Import Inspection and Certification (grading of imported $0.0170/kg or $0.0080/pound X July 1, 2018.
tobacco for manufacturers and dealers).
1 Administrative charges are applied in addition to hourly rates for resident service as specified in Part 56, Subpart A, § 56.52(a)(4); Part 56,
Subpart A, § 56.54(a)(2); Part 70, Subpart A, § 70.76(a)(2); Part 70, Subpart A, § 70.77(a)(4) and Part 70, Subpart A, § 70.77(a)(5).
3 Travel costs outside the United States will be added to the fee, if applicable.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 15b; 7 U.S.C. 473a–b; ADDRESSES: You may submit comments DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
7 U.S.C. 55 and 61; 7 U.S.C. 51–65; 7 U.S.C. by any of the following methods:
471–476; 7 U.S.C. 511, 511s; and 7 U.S.C. Submission for OMB Review;
1621–1627. • Email: richard.olsen@ars.usda.gov.
Comment Request
Dated: May 8, 2018. • Fax: 202–245–4514.
May 9, 2018.
Bruce Summers, • Mail: Director, U.S. National
The Department of Agriculture will
Acting Administrator. Arboretum, Northeast Area, Agricultural
submit the following information
[FR Doc. 2018–10132 Filed 5–11–18; 8:45 am] Research Service, 3501 New York
collection requirement(s) to OMB for
Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002.
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P review and clearance under the
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Director, Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
U.S. National Arboretum, Northeast Public Law 104–13 on or after the date
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Area, Agricultural Research Service, of publication of this notice. Comments
3501 New York Avenue NE, are requested regarding: (1) Whether the
Agricultural Research Service Washington, DC 20002. collection of information is necessary
Notice of Intent to Renew Information Correction for the proper performance of the
Collection, Correction functions of the agency, including
In the Federal Register of April 2, whether the information will have
AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, 2018, FR Doc. No. 63, page 13943, on practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
USDA. page three, paras 5, 6, and 7 of the agency’s estimate of burden including
ACTION: Notice and request for comment. Supplement Information should read as the validity of the methodology and
follows: assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the quality, utility and clarity of the
Agriculture (USDA) seeks comments on Estimate of Burden: 151 hours.
information to be collected; and (4)
the intent of the USNA to renew an Estimated Number of Responses: The ways to minimize the burden of the
information collection that expires USNA estimates 250 requests for the use collection of information on those who
August 31, 2018. The information of the facilities, 52 for photography and are to respond, including through the
collection serves as a means to collect cinematography, and 1,800 educational use of appropriate automated,
for certain use of the facilities, grounds, programs and workshops registrations electronic, mechanical, or other
programs and services. This includes on an annual basis. technological collection techniques or
fees for educational programs and Estimate of Total Annual Burden on other forms of information technology
workshops and for use of the grounds Respondents: The total cost for should be addressed to: Desk Officer for
and facilities, as well as for commercial responding is $5,422.41, for 151 hours Agriculture, Office of Information and
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
photography and cinematography. Fees of time at $35.91 per hour. Regulatory Affairs, Office of
generated will be used to defray USNA Management and Budget (OMB), New
expenses or to promote the missions of Dated: April 24, 2018.
Executive Office Building, Washington,
the USNA. Simon Y. Liu, DC; New Executive Office Building, 725
DATES: Comments on this notice must be Associate Administrator, ARS. 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503.
received by June 1, 2018 to be assured [FR Doc. 2018–10196 Filed 5–11–18; 8:45 am] Commenters are encouraged to submit
of consideration. BILLING CODE P their comments to OMB via email to:
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Document Created: 2018-05-12 01:11:38
Document Modified: 2018-05-12 01:11:38
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | May 15, 2018. | |
| Contact | Charles Parrott, AMS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 3070-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 260-9144, fax (202) 692-0313, email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 22239 |
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