FSIS Proposes Rule Setting Inspection Fees for 2005-2008
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Bridgette Keefe
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2005-The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection
Service announced a proposed rule to set the fees it charges meat and poultry establishments, egg processing
establishments, importers and exporters for providing voluntary inspection services, overtime and holiday
inspection services, identification services, certification services and laboratory services for 2005 through
2008.
FSIS bears the cost of mandatory inspection of meat, poultry and egg products. However, establishments incur the
costs of inspection services performed on holidays or on an overtime basis. FSIS provides a range of voluntary
inspection, certification and identification services. In the past, FSIS has amended its regulations on an annual
basis. With this proposed rule, FSIS is providing for four annual fee increases. This will provide the meat,
poultry and egg industry with more timely cost information and will streamline the Agency's rulemaking process.
The fee increases reflect the cost of inspection, national and locality pay increases for federal employees, applicable
overhead costs, inflation and other inspection costs. For example, the fee for providing meat and poultry voluntary
inspection, identification and certification services will increase from $43.64 per hour per program employee in
2005 to $49.93 in 2008.
Federal inspection protects the health and welfare of consumers by ensuring that meat, poultry and egg products are safe,
wholesome and properly labeled and packaged. FSIS will review each year the fees it charges for providing overtime and
holiday meat, poultry and egg products inspection services to determine whether established fees are adequate to recover
costs incurred by the agency.
