Fee Increase for Inspection Services

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is increasing the fees charged to meat and poultry establishments, plants, importers, and exporters for providing voluntary inspection, identification, and certification services; laboratory services; and overtime and holiday services. These fees are being increased in order to generate the additional revenue that FSIS is required to recover. Despite increased costs each year, these rates have not been adjusted since 1996. FSIS is reducing the fee it charges for the Accredited Laboratory program. The Agency's analysis has identified decreased operational costs for this program. Accordingly, the Agency is reducing its fee.