990319 USDA to Hike Fees for Voluntary Meat Inspections

Washington - The U.S. Agriculture Department said it wants to increase the fees charged to meat and poultry plants for voluntary inspections.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said the proposed fee increases were based on the agency's expected costs for fiscal 1999 that include pay raises, travel and overhead costs. The fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

“The fee increases are being proposed in order to generate the additional revenue that FSIS is required to recover as a result of its projected increased costs,” the agency said.

The FSIS said it also wants to cut the fees charged for use of its laboratory program because operational costs were lower than expected.

Federal law requires mandatory inspection of beef and poultry plants, and the cost is currently paid by the government.

The FSIS also offers voluntary inspection, certification, and identification services, which companies must pay for. These services include the certification of technical animal fats and the inspection of exotic animal products.

An FSIS laboratory also conducts voluntary tests for foodborne pathogens, chemical residue and food composition.

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