Revision of User Fees for 2002 Crop Cotton Classification Services to Growers

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is raising user fees for cotton producers for 2002 crop cotton classification services under the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act in accordance with the formula provided in the Uniform Cotton Classing Fees Act of 1987. The 2001 user fee for this classification service was $1.35 per bale. This final rule would raise the fee for the 2002 crop to $1.45 per bale. The fee and the existing reserve are sufficient to cover the costs of providing classification services, including costs for administration and supervision. Also because of insufficient demand, computer punch cards would be eliminated as an optional method of disseminating classing data to producers.