[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56036-56043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28454]



[[Page 56035]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part V





Department of Agriculture





_______________________________________________________________________



Agriculture Marketing Service



_______________________________________________________________________



7 CFR Parts 91, 93 and 96



Revision of Laboratory Service Fees; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 56036]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Parts 91, 93, and 96

[Docket Number S&TD-97-001]


Revision of Laboratory Service Fees

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend 
current fees and to add new fees for laboratory testing services for 
agricultural commodities. This proposed rule includes additional tests 
for various commodity products. This document reflects increased 
program costs including the cost-of-living adjustments since the last 
fee changes.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this proposed rule. Comments should be sent in triplicate to James V. 
Falk, Docket Manager, USDA, AMS, Science and Technology, P.O. Box 
96456, Room 3517-South, Washington, DC 20090-6456 and should refer to 
the docket title and number located in the heading of this document. 
Comments received will be available for public inspection in Room 3507, 
South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, between the 
hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Alan R. Post, (202) 720-3322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposed rule has been determined to be 
not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866 and has not been 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    This proposal has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have retroactive effect. 
This rule will not preempt any State or local laws, regulation, or 
policies, unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this 
rule. There are no administrative procedures which must be exhausted 
prior to any judicial challenge to this rule or the application of its 
provisions.

Regulatory Impact Analysis

    Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Administrator of the Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) has considered the economic impact of this 
action on small entities.
    There are more than 300 users of the Science and Technology 
Division's (S&TD) laboratory testing services. Many of these users are 
small entities under the criteria established by the Small Business 
Administration (13 CFR 121.601). The Administrator of AMS determined 
that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of these small businesses because only minimal 
increases to user fees for laboratory tests for commodities are 
recommended. Laboratory tests and services of S&TD are provided to 
these businesses on a voluntary basis and any decision on their part to 
discontinue the use of the services and obtain new contracts with other 
governmental agency or private laboratories would not hinder the food 
processors from marketing their products. In fiscal year 1996, the S&TD 
Laboratory Program revenues exceeded obligatory costs by only $101,000. 
The decline in revenue from the fiscal year 1995 level of $907,000 was 
due to a decrease in the requested dairy product testing at the S&TD 
Midwestern Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois. For fiscal year 1997 the 
Science and Technology Division expects to report a $332,000 deficit at 
the current fee level because there were additional revenue declines 
with the analyzing of all other commodities at our laboratories. In 
1997 the S&TD expects to incur revenue losses from 1996 levels of 
$216,000 and $449,000 respectively from poultry and tobacco product 
testing. In addition, the aflatoxin testing program net governmental 
receipts available to cover administrative costs and authorized 
appropriation outlays are projected to decline from $79,000 in 1996 to 
$14,000 in 1997. This is a consequence of the increased number of 
Peanut Administrative Committee (PAC) approved private laboratories 
that handle required aflatoxin analyses of peanuts. In recent years 
S&TD has voluntarily closed aflatoxin testing facilities at Camilla and 
Ashburn, Georgia. This was a streamlining measure to reduce Federal 
program costs and to restructure the Division to improve efficiency of 
operations and responsiveness of services. We expect the Laboratory 
Program to end fiscal year 1997 with an operating reserve of $3,261,000 
which will provide a reserve balance below the 6 month reserve 
appropriate under normal operating conditions. The AMS estimates that 
overall this rule would yield additional laboratory testing program 
revenues of $694,000 during fiscal year (FY) 1998. Without the fee 
increase, anticipated revenue would not cover program costs. Projected 
FY 1998 laboratory revenues are $5,616,000 with obligatory costs 
projected at $6,276,000. Trust fund balances would be below the 
required 4 month reserve levels. With a fee increase, projected FY 1998 
revenues would be $6,310,000 with obligatory costs projected at 
$6,276,000. The laboratory fees in the general schedules would increase 
by approximately 6 percent. These fees are competitive to the fees 
found in price lists distributed by private laboratories. Furthermore, 
users of S&TD testing services are under no obligation to use them. 
This proposed action updates lists of laboratory tests and services 
contained in certain sections of the regulations. In addition, the fees 
for the specialized and required aflatoxin testing of nuts and their 
products would have increases ranging from 6 to 21 percent.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1980, as amended on May 22, 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35; Pub. L. 104-13 
Sec. 2), the information collection requirements contained in the 
provisions to be updated have been previously approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget.
    No additional recordkeeping requirements are imposed as a result of 
this rule.

Background

    On August 9, 1993, AMS published a rule in the Federal Register (58 
FR 42408--42448) to combine all AMS regulations concerning laboratory 
services. The goal was to consolidate and to transfer existing 
laboratory testing programs operating independently under the various 
commodity divisions (Cotton, Poultry, Fruit and Vegetable, Tobacco, 
Dairy, and Livestock and Seed) to its S&TD, formerly the Science 
Division. The rule included fees charged for testing and related 
services under the diversified S&TD programs and set the hourly 
analytical testing rate at $34.20 per hour. On May 10, 1994, an interim 
final rule was published in the Federal Register (59 FR 24318--24325) 
which was finalized on September 30, 1994 (59 FR 50120--50122) and 
which reduced S&TD laboratory testing fees for certain dairy products 
and established additional tests with fees for dairy products for 
incorporation into existing schedules.
    The S&TD laboratory testing programs are mainly voluntary, user fee 
services, conducted under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, as amended. However under certain

[[Page 56037]]

programs such as those involving peanuts, aflatoxin testing is 
required. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide 
Federal analytical testing services that facilitate marketing and allow 
products to obtain grade designations or meet marketing standards. In 
addition, the laboratory tests establish quality standards for 
agricultural commodities. The Act also requires that reasonable fees be 
collected from the users of the services to cover as nearly as possible 
the costs of maintaining the programs.
    There is a need to revise the list of testing services available 
due to changes in analytical methodologies and customer service needs. 
Under this proposed rule, new laboratory tests are added to the tables 
in Part 91 as follows: (1) Heavy metal screen, (2) niacin, (3) odor, 
(4) vitamin B-1 (thiamin), (5) vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), (6) capsaicin 
(hot sauce), (7) color (apparent-visual), (8) extractable color in 
spices, (9) hydroxymethylfurfural (honey), (10) linolenic acid, (11) 
overrun for whipping topping, (12) pH--quinhydrone (cheese), (13) serum 
drainage for whipped topping, (14) rate of wetting (nondairy creamer), 
(15) reducing sugars, (16) Bacillus cereus, (17) Lactobacillus count, 
(18) Salmonella enumeration (complete test), (19) Salmonella typhi 
(meat products), and (20) parasite identification. The direct 
microscopic clump count (DMCC) test is removed from Table 5 in Part 91 
because it is analogous to the bacterial direct microscopic count test. 
Certain other laboratory tests are removed from the tables in Part 91 
because there have been few, if any, requests for these tests in recent 
years. These outmoded laboratory tests are fat (cheese and related 
products), fat by specific gravity, moisture by Karl Fischer, and 
proteolytic count (dairy products). Four existing laboratory test fees 
in the tables of Part 91 are reduced corresponding to reduced analysis 
time and lowered equipment cost associated with utilizing revised 
methodology. The cholesterol test fee is lowered from $171.00 to 
$90.65. The available carbon dioxide test fee is reduced from $136.80 
to $54.39. The jelly strength (bloom) test fee is reduced from $85.50 
to $54.39. The water activity test is changed from $136.80 to $27.20.
    In its analysis of projected costs for fiscal years 1997 and 1998, 
AMS has identified increases in the costs of providing laboratory 
testing services despite declining revenues. The total Laboratory 
Program obligations in FY 1996 were $5,963,000 while the program 
operating costs are projected to be $6,032,000 in FY 1997 with current 
fees. These cost increases are attributable mainly (65 percent of total 
operating budget or $3,684,000 in 1997) to national and locality pay 
raises and increased benefit costs for Federal employees. A general and 
locality salary increase for Federal employees, ranging from 3.09 to 
6.25 percent depending on locality, effective January 1995, a general 
and locality salary increase for Federal employees, ranging from 2.39 
to 2.89 percent depending on locality, effective January 1996, and an 
additional salary increase, ranging from 3.30 to 6.26 percent depending 
on localities, effective January 1997, has materially affected the 
costs of laboratory programs. Current and estimated demand for the 
laboratory services are also factored in the fee revisions. Since 
S&TD's last fee increase in August 1993 (58 FR 42408) total annual 
revenue of the S&TD's laboratories has decreased from $6.2 million to 
$5.6 million. Major factors affecting these revenue losses include 
industry's implementation of plant and in-house testing, cutbacks in 
dairy support and procurement programs, and reduction in USDA food 
assistance programs due to re-engineering involving State and local 
governments. It is anticipated that in FY 1998, at the current fee 
levels, the S&TD will not have sufficient revenue to sustain present 
staffing levels, to cover equipment and material cost increases, and to 
still maintain an adequate reserve balance of $2.7 million or a minimum 
4 months reserve called for by Agency policy and prudent financial 
management.
    The AMS laboratory testing programs are voluntary, user fee 
services, conducted under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, as amended. The Act requires that reasonable fees be 
collected from the users of these services to cover, as nearly as 
practicable, the costs of maintaining the programs. A recent review of 
the current fee schedules, effective since September 30, 1994 (59 FR 
50120--50122), revealed that anticipated revenue would not adequately 
cover increasing program costs. Without a fee increase, projected FY 
1998 revenues for laboratory services are $5,616,000 with obligatory 
costs projected at $6,276,000. Accordingly, S&TD is proposing to 
increase by 6 percent the currently listed laboratory fees in Tables 1 
through 5 and in Tables 7 through 8 in Part 91. The standard hourly 
rate would be increased from $34.20 to $36.26 (6 percent). In addition, 
the laboratory rate for appeals, holiday and overtime service would be 
raised from $51.30 to $54.39 per analysis hour.
    The fees and charges in Part 96 involved with the official grading 
of any lot of cottonseed would also increase by 6 percent. These fee 
increases are needed because of a statistical based cottonseed lot size 
study by S&TD in 1992 and the consequential revision of rule 135, 
section 5 of the Trading Rules of the National Cottonseed Products 
Association. The trade association's rule allows licensed cottonseed 
samplers under AMS's supervision to increase the maximum cottonseed lot 
size from 150 to 300 tons to obtain a representative official 
cottonseed sample when prevailing environmental conditions during a 
period of 3 consecutive days do not compromise the quality of graded 
cottonseed. This resulted in a corresponding yearly reduction of the 
total number of official cottonseed samples subject to analytical 
chemical methods to derive a composite official grade designation. Even 
though the cottonseed chemist licensing program costs have been lowered 
in recent years, the loss of revenue resulting from the decreased 
issuance of the official cottonseed grading certificates has been 
substantial. Therefore, the Agency proposes to revise the certificate 
fee charged for official analysis and cottonseed grade determination 
from $3.00 per certificate, issued by the chemist, to $3.18. The 
application fee for a chemist's license would be raised from $1,100.00 
to $1,166.00 for the examination, while the fee for renewal of the 
license would be increased from $275.00 to $292.00.
    The laboratory fees for aflatoxin analyses in Table 6 in Part 91 
would be increased or decreased depending on the commodity type or 
analytical method utilized. The cost of analyzing shelled peanuts by 
high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) would be decreased from 
$50.00 to $31.00 per single analysis because automated HPLC equipment 
is being used now in the laboratory. Other aflatoxin test fees would 
increase by 6 to 21 percent because there are corresponding increased 
costs of the expendable supplies and materials to perform these 
analyses.
    The rule would remove the time allotments for single tests in 
Tables 1 through 7 in Part 91. The time allotments stated in the prior 
rules and regulations of the S&TD (58 FR 42415, August 9, 1993 and 59 
FR 50121, September 30, 1994) are no longer applicable because of the 
recent approval of automated equipment and rapid procedures for many of 
the listed tests. This new technology comes with

[[Page 56038]]

increased expenses in specialized supplies and materials required to 
perform the requested analyses.
    This proposal provides for a 30-day comment period. This period is 
deemed appropriate in view of the need to make revisions to the current 
fee schedules without delay if approved.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 91

    Administrative practice and procedure, Science and Technology 
Division Laboratories, Fees and charges

7 CFR Part 93

    Citrus fruits, Fruit juices, Fruits, Laboratories, Nuts, Vegetables

7 CFR Part 96

    Cottonseeds, Chemist's licensure, Cottonseed quality analysis, 
Official grade.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, Title 7, chapter I is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 91--SERVICES AND GENERAL INFORMATION

    1. The authority citation part 91 continues to read as follows:
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.

Subpart I--Fees and Charges

    2. In Sec. 91.37, Tables 1 through 8 and paragraph (b) are revised 
and a new paragraph (d) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 91.37  Fees for laboratory testing, analysis, and other services.

* * * * *

      Table 1.--Single Test Laboratory Fees for Proximate Analyses      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Type of analysis                         List fee 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ammonia, Ion Selective Electrode...........................       $81.59
Ash, Total.................................................        36.26
Ash, Acid Insoluble........................................        54.39
Chloride, Salt Titration (Dairy)...........................        18.13
Fat, Acid Hydrolysis.......................................        36.26
Fat (Dairy Products).......................................        18.13
Fat, Ether Extraction......................................        36.26
Fat, Microwave--Solvent Extraction.........................        36.26
Fiber, Crude...............................................        72.52
Moisture, Distillation.....................................        36.26
Moisture, Oven.............................................        18.13
Protein, Kjeldahl..........................................        72.52
Salt, Back Titration.......................................        27.20
Salt, Potentiometric.......................................        18.13
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Table 2.--Single Test Laboratory Fees for Lipid Related Analyses    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Type of analysis                         List fee 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acid Degree Value (Dairy)..................................       $36.26
Acidity, Titratable........................................         9.07
Carotene, Spectrophotometric...............................        90.65
Catalase Test..............................................        18.13
Cholesterol \1\............................................        90.65
Color (Honey)..............................................        18.13
Color, NEPA (Eggs).........................................        36.26
Consistency, Bostwick (Cooked).............................        18.13
Consistency, Bostwick (Uncooked)...........................        18.13
Density (Specific Gravity).................................         9.07
Dispersibility (Moates-Dabbah Method)......................        18.13
Fat Stability,\2\ AOM......................................        36.26
Fatty Acid Profile (AOAC-GC method)........................       145.04
Flash Point Test only......................................        72.52
Free Fatty Acids...........................................        18.13
Meltability (Process Cheese)...............................        18.13
Peroxidase Test............................................        18.13
Peroxide Value.............................................        27.20
Smoke Point Test only......................................        72.52
Smoke Point and Flash Point................................       126.91
Solids, Total (Oven Drying)................................        18.13
Soluble Solids, Refractometer..............................       18.13 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Moisture and fat analyses are required to be analyzed at an         
  additional cost as prerequisites to the cholesterol test.             
\2\ Peroxide value analysis is required as a prerequisite to the fat    
  stability test at the additional fee.                                 


        Table 3.--Single Test Laboratory Fees for Food Additives        
                          (DIRECT AND INDIRECT)                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Type of analysis                         List fee 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aflatoxin, (Dairy, Eggs)...................................      $126.91
Alar or Daminozide Residue.................................       217.56
Amitraz Residue, GLC.......................................       217.56

[[Page 56039]]

                                                                        
Alcohol (Qualitative)......................................        72.52
Alkalinity of Ash..........................................        54.39
Antibiotic, Qualitative (Dairy)............................        18.13
Antibiotic, Quantitative \1\...............................       398.86
Ascorbates (Qualitative--Meats)............................        18.13
Ascorbic Acid, Titration...................................        36.26
Ascorbic Acid, Spectrophotometric..........................        36.26
Benzene, Residual..........................................        72.52
Brix, Direct Percent Sucrose...............................        18.13
Brix, Dilution.............................................        18.13
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA).............................        54.39
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT).............................        54.39
Caffeine, Micro Bailey-Andrew..............................        54.39
Caffeine, Spectrophotometric...............................        36.26
Calcium....................................................        54.39
Citric Acid, GLC or HPLC...................................        54.39
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons:                                               
    Pesticides and Industrial Chemicals:                                
        Initial Screen.....................................       145.04
        Second Column Confirmation of Analyte..............        36.26
        3Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer.................        72.52
Dextrin (Qualitative)......................................        18.13
Dextrin (Quantitative).....................................       108.78
Filth, Heavy (Dairy).......................................        90.65
Filth, Heavy (Eggs)........................................       145.04
Filth, Light (Eggs)........................................        90.65
Filth, Light & Heavy (Eggs Extraneous).....................       217.56
Flavor (Dairy).............................................         9.07
Flavor (Products except Dairy).............................        27.20
Fumigants:                                                              
    Initial Screen:                                                     
        Dibromochloropropane (DBCP)........................        36.26
        Ethylene Dibromide.................................        36.26
        Methyl Bromide.....................................        36.26
    Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer:                                  
        Each individual fumigant residue...................        72.52
Glucose (Qualitative)......................................        27.20
Glucose (Quantitative).....................................        63.46
Glycerol (Quantitative)....................................       108.78
Gums.......................................................       108.78
Heavy Metal Screen \2\.....................................       317.28
High Sucrose Content or Avasucrol:                                      
    Percent Sucrose (Holland Eggs).........................       145.04
Hydrogen Ion Activity, pH..................................        18.13
Mercury, Cold Vapor AA.....................................        90.65
Metals--Other Than Heavy, Each Metal.......................        72.52
Monosodium Dihydrogen Phosphate............................       145.04
Monosodium Glutamate.......................................       145.04
Niacin.....................................................        72.52
Nitrites (Qualitative).....................................        18.13
Nitrites (Quantitative)....................................       108.78
Oxygen.....................................................        18.13
Odor.......................................................         9.07
Palatability and Odor:                                                  
    First Sample...........................................        27.20
    Each Additional Sample.................................        18.13
Phosphatase, Residual......................................        36.26
Phosphorus.................................................        72.52
Propylene Glycol, Codistillation:                                       
    (Qualitative)..........................................        72.52
Pyrethrin Residue (Dairy)..................................       145.04
Scorched Particles.........................................         9.07
Sodium, Potentiometric.....................................        36.26
Sodium Benzoate, HPLC......................................        54.39
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)................................       290.08
Sodium Silicoaluminate (Zeolex)............................        72.52
Solubility Index...........................................        18.13
Starch, Direct Acid Hydrolysis.............................       108.78
Sugar, Polarimetric Methods................................        36.26
Sugar Profile, HPLC: \3\                                                
    One type sugar from HPLC profile.......................       108.78

[[Page 56040]]

                                                                        
    Each additional type sugar.............................        18.13
Sugars, Non-Reducing.......................................       108.78
Sugars, Total as Invert....................................        72.52
Sulfites (Qualitative).....................................        27.20
Sulfur Dioxide, Direct Titration...........................        36.26
Sulfur Dioxide, Monier-Williams............................        54.39
Toluene, Residual..........................................        72.52
Triethyl Citrate, GC (Quantitative)........................        36.26
Vitamin A..................................................        90.65
Vitamin A, Carr-Price (Dry Milk)...........................        45.33
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin)......................................        72.52
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)...................................        72.52
Vitamin D, HPLC (Vitamins D 2 and D 3).....................       308.21
Whey Protein Nitrogen......................................        27.20
Xanthydrol Test For Urea...................................        54.39
    This is an optional test to the extraneous materials                
                      isolation test.                                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Antibiotic testing includes tests for chlorotetracycline,           
  oxytetracycline, and tetracycline.                                    
\2\ Heavy metal screen includes tests for cadmium, lead, and mercury.   
\3\ This profile includes the following components: Dextrose, Fructose, 
  Lactose, Maltose and Sucrose.                                         


  Table 4.--Single Test Laboratory Fees for Other Chemical and Physical 
                           Component Analyses                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Type of analysis                         List fee 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Carbon Dioxide (Baking Powders)..................       $54.39
Capsaicin (Hot Sauce)......................................        72.52
Color, Apparent-Visual.....................................         9.07
Complete Kohman Analysis (Dairy)...........................        36.26
Extractable Color in Spices................................        18.13
Grape Juice Absorbency Ratio...............................        18.13
Hydroxymethylfurfural (Honey)..............................        36.26
Jelly Strength (Bloom).....................................        54.39
Linolenic Acid.............................................        72.52
Methyl Anthranilate........................................        36.26
Net Weight (Per Can).......................................         9.07
Non-Volatile Methylene Chloride Extract....................        90.65
Overrun for Whipped Topping................................        27.20
Particle Size (Ether Wash).................................        18.13
pH--Quinhydrone (Cheese)...................................        18.13
Potassium Iodide (Table Salt)..............................        54.39
Quinic Acid (Cranberry Juice)..............................        63.46
Serum Drainage for Whipped Topping.........................        18.13
Sieve or Particle Size.....................................        18.13
Rate of Wetting (Nondairy Creamer).........................        18.13
Reducing Sugars............................................        72.52
Water Activity.............................................        27.20
Water Insoluble Inorganic: Residues (WIIR).................        72.52
Yellow Onion Test..........................................        27.20
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Table 5.--Single Test Laboratory Fees for Microbiological Analyses   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Type of analysis                         List fee 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aerobic (Standard) Plate Count.............................       $18.13
Anaerobic Bacterial Plate Count............................        27.20
Bacillus cereus............................................        72.52
Bacterial Direct Microscopic Count.........................        36.26
Campylobacter jejuni.......................................       145.04
Coliform Plate Count (Dairy Products)......................        18.13
Coliform Plate Count, Violet Red Bile Agar (Presumptive                 
 Coliform Plate Count).....................................        27.20
Coliforms, Most Probable Number (MPN): 1                                
    Step 1.................................................        27.20
    Step 2.................................................        27.20
E coli, Presumptive MPN (Additional) 2.....................        54.39
Enterococci Count..........................................       108.78
Lactobacillus Count 3......................................        45.33
Listeria monocytogenes Confirmation Analysis: 4                         
    Step 1.................................................        54.39
    Step 2.................................................        54.39

[[Page 56041]]

                                                                        
    Step 3 (Confirmation)..................................        90.65
Parasite Identification....................................       145.04
Psychrotrophic Bacterial Plate Count.......................        27.20
Salmonella (USDA Culture Method): 5                                     
    Step 1 (Dairy Products)................................        36.26
    Step 1.................................................        54.39
    Step 2.................................................        27.20
    Step 3 (Confirmation)..................................        54.39
    Serological Typing (Optional)..........................        90.65
Salmonella Enumeration (Complete Test).....................       108.78
Salmonella (Rapid Methods): 6                                           
    Step 1.................................................        72.52
    Step 2.................................................        27.20
    Step 3 (Confirmation)..................................        54.39
Salmonella typhi (Meat Products) 7.........................        36.26
Staphylococcus aureus, MPN:                                             
    With Coagulase Positive Confirmation...................        63.46
Thermoduric Bacterial Plate Count..........................        27.20
Yeast and Mold Count.......................................        18.13
Yeast and Mold Differential Plate Count....................       27.20 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Coliform MPN analysis may be in two steps as follows: Step 1--      
  presumptive test through lauryl sulfate tryptose broth; Step 2--      
  confirmatory test through brilliant green lactose bile broth.         
\2\ Step 1 of the coliform MPN analysis is a prerequistite for the      
  performance of the presumptive E. coli test. Prior enrichment in      
  lauryl sulfate tryptose broth is required for optimal recovery of E.  
  coli from inoculated and incubated EC broth (Escherichia coli broth). 
  The E. coli test is performed through growth on eosin methylene blue  
  agar. The fee stated for E. coli analysis is a supplementary charge to
  step 1 of coliform test.                                              
\3\ Determination of bacterial plate count of different species of      
  Lactobacillus.                                                        
\4\Listeria monocytogenes test using the USDA method may be in three    
  steps as follows: Step 1--isolation by University of Vermont modified 
  (UVM) broth and Fraser's broth enrichments and selective plating with 
  Modified Oxford (MOX) agar; Presumptive Step 2--typical colonies      
  inoculated from Horse Blood into brain heart infusive (BHI) broth and 
  check for characteristic motility; Confirmatory Step 3--culture from  
  BHI broth with typical motility is inoculated into the seven          
  biochemical medias, BHI agar for oxidase and catalase tests, Motility 
  test medium, and Christie-Atkins-Munch-Peterson (CAMP) test. Listeria 
  monocytogenes test using the FDA method may be in three steps as      
  follows: Step 1--isolation by trypticase soy broth with 0.6% yeast    
  extract (TSB-YE) broth enrichment and selective plating with Modified 
  McBrides agar and Lithium chloride Phenylethanol Moxalactam (LPM)     
  agar; Presumptive Step 2--typical colonies inoculated to trypticase   
  soy agar with yeast extract (TSA-YE) with sheep blood plates to check 
  for hemolysis followed by inoculations to BHI broth and TSA-YE plates 
  to check for characteristic motility, gram stain and catalase test;   
  Confirmatory Step 3--culture from BHI broth with typical motility for 
  wet mount is inoculated into the required 10 biochemical medias,      
  Sulfide-Indole-Motility (SIM) medium, and the CAMP test. Serology is  
  checked using growth from TSA-YE plates. Both methods for Listeria    
  determination have the equivalent time needed for each step.          
\5\Salmonella test may be in three steps as follows: Step 1--growth     
  through differential agars; Step 2--growth and testing through triple 
  sugar iron and lysine iron agars; Step--3 confirmatory test through   
  biochemicals, and polyvalent serological testing with Poly ``O'' and  
  Poly ``H'' antiserums. The serological typing of Salmonella is        
  requested on occasion.                                                
\6\Salmonella test may be in three steps as follows: Step 1--growth in  
  enrichment broths and ELISA test or DNA hybridization system assay;   
  Step 2--growth and testing through triple sugar iron and lysine iron  
  agars; Step 3--confirmatory test through biochemicals, and polyvalent 
  serological testing with Poly ``O'' and Poly ``H'' antiserums.        
\7\Salmonella typhi determination in mechanically deboned meat.         


            Table 6.--Laboratory Fees for Aflatoxin Analyses            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Fee per                  
        Aflatoxin test by commodity            single      Fee per pair 
                                              analysis     analyses \1\ 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peanut Butter (TLC--CB--Affinity Column)..        $36.26  NA \2\        
Corn (TLC--CB--Affinity Column)...........         36.26  NA            
Roasted Peanuts (TLC--BF).................         36.26  NA            
Brazil Nuts (TLC--BF).....................         72.52  NA            
Pistachio Nuts (TLC--BF)..................         72.52  NA            
Shelled Peanuts (TLC--Affinity Column)....         17     34            
Shelled Peanuts (HPLC)....................         31     62            
Tree Nuts (TLC)...........................         36.26  NA            
Oilseed Meals (TLC).......................         36.26  NA            
Edible Seeds (TLC)........................         36.26  NA            
Dried Fruit (TLC).........................         36.26  NA            
Small Grains (TLC)........................         36.26  NA            
In-Shell Peanuts (TLC)....................         17     34            
Silage; Other Grains (TLC)................         36.26  NA            
Submitted Samples (TLC--Affinity Column)..         36.26  NA            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Aflatoxin testing of raw peanuts under Peanut Marketing Agreement   
  for subsamples 1-AB, 2-AB, 3-AB, and 1-CD is $34.00 per pair of       
  analyses using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Best Foods (BF)    
  extraction or immunoaffinity column chromatography method. The BF     
  method has been modified to incorporate a water slurry extraction     
  procedure. The Contaminants Branch (CB) method is used on occasion as 
  an alternative method for peanuts and peanut meal when doubt exists as
  to the effectiveness of the Best Foods method in extracting aflatoxin 
  from the sample or when background interferences exist that might mask
  TLC quantitation of aflatoxin. The cost per single or pair of analyses
  using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is $31.00 and $62.00,
  respectively. Other aflatoxin analyses for fruits and vegetables are  
  listed at Science and Technology Division's current hourly rate of    
  $36.26.                                                               
\2\ NA denotes not applicable.                                          


[[Page 56042]]


     Table 7.--Miscellaneous Charges Supplemental to the Science and    
             Technology Division's Laboratory Analysis Fees             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Laboratory service description                  List fee 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample Grinding Raw Peanuts by Vertical Cutter Mixer (VCM).       $18.13
Sample Grinding Canned Boned Poultry (VCM).................        36.26
Sample Grinding (Meats, Meat Products, Meals, Ready-to-                 
 Eat):                                                                  
    per pouch or raw sample................................         9.07
    per tray pack..........................................        18.13
Compositing Multiple Subsamples for an Individual Test                  
 Sample Unit per subsample.................................         9.07
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Table 8.--Additional Charges Applicable to the Sample Receipt and   
                             Analysis Report                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Service description                      List charge     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Established Courier Expense at Albany, Georgia     $2.15                
 S&TD Laboratory.                                                       
Courier Expense at Other AMS Laboratories:                              
    Mileage Charge Set at $0.31 Per Mile           Varies               
     Roundtrip from Laboratory to Delivery Site.                        
Facsimile Charge (Per Analysis Report)...........  $3.20 minimum up to  
                                                    first 3 pages, then 
                                                    $1.10 per page      
Additional Analysis Report or Extra Certificate    $18.13 per report or 
 (\1/2\ hour charge).                               certificate reissued
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) The fee charge for any laboratory analysis not listed in 
paragraph (a) of this section, or for any other applicable services 
rendered in the laboratory, shall be based on the time required to 
perform such analysis or render such service. The standard hourly rate 
shall be $36.26.
* * * * *
    (d) When Science and Technology Division provides applied and 
developmental research and training activities for microbiological and 
chemical analyses on agricultural commodities the applicant will be 
charged a fee on a reimbursable cost basis.
    3. Section 91.38 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 91.38  Additional fees for appeal of analysis.

    (a) The appellant will be charged an additional fee at a rate of 
1.5 times the standard rate stated in Sec. 91.37(a) if, as a result of 
an authorized appeal analysis, it is determined that the original test 
results are correct. The appeal laboratory rate is $54.39 per analysis 
hour.
    (b) The appeal fee will be waived if the appeal laboratory test 
discloses that an inadvertent error was made in the original analysis.
    4. In Sec. 91.39, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 91.39  Special request fees for overtime and legal holiday 
service.

    (a) Laboratory analyses initiated at the special request of the 
applicant to be rendered on Saturdays, Sundays, Federal holidays, and 
on an overtime basis will be charged at a rate of 1.5 times the 
standard rate stated in Sec. 91.37(a). The premium laboratory rate for 
holiday and overtime service will be $54.39 per analysis hour.
* * * * *
    5. In Sec. 91.40, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 91.40  Fees for courier service and fasimile of the analysis 
report.

    (a) The AMS peanut aflatoxin laboratory at Albany, Georgia, has a 
set courier charge of $2.15 per trip to retrieve the sample package. 
The mileage charge specified in Table 8 of this part for courier 
service at other AMS laboratories is based on the shortest roundtrip 
route from laboratory to sample retrieval site.
* * * * *

PART 93--PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

    1. The authority citation part 93 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.

Subpart B--Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Corn and Other Oilseeds

    2. In Sec. 93.11, the definition for ``aflatoxin'' is revised to 
read as follows:
    Aflatoxin. A toxic metabolite produced by the molds Aspergillus 
flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Aspergillus nomius. The aflatoxin 
compounds fluoresce when viewed under UV light as follows: aflatoxin 
B1 and derivatives with a blue fluorescence, aflatoxin 
B2 with a blue-violet fluorescence, aflatoxin G1 
with a green fluorescence, aflatoxin G2 with a green-blue 
fluorescence, aflatoxin M1 with a blue-violet fluorescence, 
and aflatoxin M2 with a violet fluorescence. These closely 
related molecular structures are referred to as aflatoxin 
B1, B2, G1, G2, 
M1, M2, GM1, B2a, 
G2a, R0, B3, 1-
OCH3B2, and 1-CH3G2.
    3. In Sec. 93.12, paragraph (b)(1) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 93.12  Analyses available and locations of laboratories.

* * * * *
    (b) * * * (1) The Science and Technology Division Aflatoxin 
Laboratories at Albany and Blakely, Georgia will perform other analyses 
for peanuts, peanut products, and a variety of oilseeds. The analyses 
for oilseeds include testing for free fatty acids, ammonia, nitrogen or 
protein, moisture and volatile matter, foreign matter, and oil (fat) 
content.
* * * * *

PART 96--COTTONSEED SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE FOR CRUSHING PURPOSES 
(CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND UNITED STATES OFFICIAL GRADE CERTIFICATION)

    1. The authority citation part 96 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.

    2. Section 96.20 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 96.20  Fee for chemist's license.

    (a) The fee for the examination of an applicant for a license as a 
chemist to analyze and certify the grade of cottonseed shall be 
$1,166.00.
    (b) The examination fee shall be paid at the time the application 
is filed or at a time prior to the administration of the

[[Page 56043]]

examinations. This fee shall be paid regardless of the outcome of the 
licensing examinations. The examination fee shall be nonrefundable to 
the applicant; however, in the evident of death of the applicant prior 
to the examination, full payment of the fee may be returned to the 
applicant's beneficiary. If an application is filed with an 
insufficient fee, the application and fee submitted will be returned to 
the applicant.
    (c) For each renewal of a chemist's license, the fee shall be 
$292.00.
    3. In Sec. 96.21, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 96.21  Fee for certificates to be paid by licensee to Service.

    (a) To cover the cost of administering the regulations in this 
part, each licensed cottonseed chemist shall pay to the Service $3.18 
for each certificate of the grade of cottonseed issued by the licensee.
* * * * *
    Dated: October 17, 1997.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28454 Filed 10-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-U