Grading and Inspection, General Specifications for Approved Plants and Standards for Grades of Dairy Products: Revision of User Fees

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is increasing the fees charged for services provided under the dairy inspection and grading program. This rule will yield an estimated $343,000 during 1998. The program is a voluntary, user fee program conducted under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended. This action increases the hourly rate to $51.00 per hour for continuous resident services and $56.00 per hour for nonresident services between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The fee for nonresident services between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. would be $61.60 per hour. These fees represent an increase of four dollars per hour. The fees are being increased to cover the costs of recent salary increases and locality adjustments, the costs necessary to maintain adequate levels of service during changing production and purchasing patterns within the dairy industry, the continued full funding for standardization activities, and other nonpay operating costs.