USDA Proposes to Adjust User Fees for Veterinary Import and Export Related Services

June 4, 2008 — 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced a proposal to adjust the user fees charged for import and export related services provided for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms and vectors.

In this proposal, APHIS would increase the user fees incrementally during fiscal years 2008 to 2012 to reflect the anticipated costs associated with providing import and export services each year.

Specifically, APHIS is proposing to adjust the fees for the following services:

• Processing import permit applications;
• Inspection of live animals at ports of entry;
• Quarantining pet birds;
• Inspecting and approving import and export facilities and establishments;
• Endorsing export certificates; and
• Other services APHIS provides related to importation into or exportation from the United States of animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms and vectors.

The proposed annual incremental increase of fees will help ensure that the fees accurately reflect the cost of providing these important services and that the program operates at a level sufficient to meet the needs of agricultural trade and minimize the risk of the introducing pests and diseases.

This proposed rule is scheduled for publication in the June 4 Federal Register.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Aug. 4. Send two copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0144, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you wish to submit a comment using the Internet, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2006-0144 ; then click on "Add Comments." This will also allow you to view supporting and related materials available electronically.

Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web site and may also be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2817.