Fee Increase for Meat and Poultry Inspection Services

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is increasing the fees that FSIS charges meat and poultry establishments, importers, and exporters for providing voluntary inspection services, overtime and holiday inspection services, identification services, certification services, and laboratory services. These fee increases reflect the increased cost of inspection, the national and locality pay raise for Federal employees (proposed 4.8 percent effective January 2000), the increased laboratory costs, and the applicable travel and operating costs. The fee increases will be effective January 1, 2000. At this time, FSIS is not amending the fee for the Accredited Laboratory Program.