GIPSA CHANGING INSPECTION AND WEIGHING FEE SCHEDULE

Effective June 14, 2004

The USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is changing the fee schedule for official inspection and weighing services performed under the authority of the U.S. Grain Standards Act, as amended.

According to GIPSA administrator Donna Reifschneider, the changes are needed to cover the cost of providing services, replenish the retained earnings accounts and to maintain a 3-month operating reserve. "Maintaining GIPSA's financial stability will ensure continued provision of the inspection and weighing services that the grain industry relies on to facilitate the sound and orderly marketing of grain in domestic and export markets," Reifschneider said.

The USGSA authorizes GIPSA to charge and collect reasonable fees to cover the cost of performing official services, and costs associated with administrative and supervisory activities related to official services.

Specifically, GIPSA is eliminating 3-month and 6-month contracts because they are not widely used; increasing the 1-year contract hourly rate and the non-contract hourly rate; increasing hourly rates for services not performed at an applicant's facility; increasing unit fees for additional tests provided by GIPSA; replacing the 6-level administrative tonnage fee with regional administrative tonnage fees; replacing the unit fee charged to delegated States for export ships with a tonnage fee; increasing hourly fees for special weighing services; and establishing a usage fee per facility when the GIPSA test car is used to test track scales.

The fee schedule change becomes effective June 14, 2004.

The final rule is on GIPSA's web site at: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/rulemaking/current/5-13-04.pdf.