Docket Number: AMS-FGIS-24-0010
Comments Due: This interim rule is effective July 8, 2024. Comments are due July 8, 2024
Summary
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS or the Service) is revising the fee schedule for official inspection and weighing services performed under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. Specifically, this interim rule announces the new rates for the remainder of fiscal year 2024, and until such time as new fees are set by a final rule. AMS intends to follow this rulemaking with a notice of proposed rulemaking establishing a new regulatory fee formula. The necessary and immediate changes to the current fees will prevent FGIS cessation of services due to insufficient required funding and, most urgently, avoid significant negative impacts to the $54 billion grain export industry. This interim rule will allow FGIS to fully recover the actual costs of providing services and re-establish a 3- to 6-month operating reserve, consistent with the USGSA, and, in doing so, ensure uninterrupted essential grain inspection services that enable U.S. companies to continue exporting and marketing U.S. grain around the world.
Submit Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this interim rule. Comments may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Please reference Doc. No. AMS-FGIS-24-0010. Comments may also be submitted by email to Anthony Goodeman at Anthony.T.Goodeman@usda.gov. All comments submitted in response to this rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public on the internet at the address provided above. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public. Prospective customers can find the fee schedules posted on AMS's public website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/fgis-program-directives.
Contact
Denise Ruggles, Executive Program Analyst, USDA, AMS, FGIS, Telephone: 816-702-3897, Email: Denise.M.Ruggles@usda.gov; or Anthony Goodeman, Senior Policy Advisor, USDA, AMS, FGIS, Telephone: 202-720-2091, Email: Anthony.T.Goodeman@usda.gov.
Supporting Documents