[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16370-16375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8645]



[[Page 16369]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part VIII





Department of Agriculture





_______________________________________________________________________



Agricultural Marketing Service



_______________________________________________________________________



7 CFR Parts 91, 93, and 96



Revision of Laboratory Service Fees; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 63 / Thursday, April 2, 1998 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 16370]]



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: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is increasing current 
fees for laboratory testing services for agricultural commodities. 
Without the fee increase, anticipated revenue would not cover program 
costs. This rule includes additional tests for various commodity 
products and removes test time allotments. Time allotments serve no 
useful purpose since they no longer represent test times accurately 
because of the development of numerous new analytical procedures.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 4, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James V. Falk, Docket Manager, USDA, 
AMS, Science and Technology, P.O. Box 96456, Room 3517-South, 
Washington, DC 20090-6456; telephone: (202) 690-4089.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 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 rule 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's 
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 Science and Technology 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 Science and 
Technology laboratory 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 Science and Technology Midwestern Laboratory in Chicago, 
Illinois. For fiscal year 1997 Science and Technology reported 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 Science and Technology incurred 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 declined 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 
Science and Technology 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 
Laboratory Program to improve efficiency of operations and 
responsiveness of services. The Laboratory Program ended fiscal year 
1997 with an operating reserve of $3,261,000 which provides 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 will increase by approximately 6 percent. These fees 
are competitive to the fees found in price lists distributed by private 
laboratories. Furthermore, users of Science and Technology testing 
services are under no obligation to use them. This final rule 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 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 programs (Cotton, Poultry, Fruit and Vegetable, Tobacco, 
Dairy, and Livestock and Seed) to its Science and Technology program, 
formerly the Science Division. The rule included fees charged for 
testing and related services under the diversified Science and 
Technology 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 Science and 
Technology laboratory testing fees for certain dairy products and 
established additional tests with fees for dairy products for 
incorporation into existing schedules.
    The Science and Technology 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 
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

[[Page 16371]]

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.
    Science and Technology is revising its list of testing services 
available due to changes in analytical methodologies and customer 
service needs. Under this 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 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 were $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 
Science and Technology's last fee increase in August 1993 (58 FR 42408) 
total annual revenue of the 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 during this fiscal year, at 
the current fee levels, the Science and Technology 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, Science and Technology is 
increasing 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 will be increased from $34.20 to $36.26 (6 percent). In addition, 
the laboratory rate for appeals, holiday and overtime service will 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 will also increase by 6 percent. These fee 
increases are needed because of a statistical based cottonseed lot size 
study by Science and Technology 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 revises 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 will be raised from $1,100.00 to $1,166.00 for the 
examination, while the fee for renewal of the license will be increased 
from $275.00 to $292.00.
    The laboratory fees for aflatoxin analyses in Table 6 in Part 91 
will 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) will 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 will 
increase by 6 to 21 percent because there are corresponding increased 
costs of the expendable supplies and materials to perform these 
analyses.
    The rule will 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 Science and Technology (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 
increased expenses in specialized supplies and materials required to 
perform the requested analyses.
    A proposed rule to make revisions to the current fee schedules was 
published in the Federal Register on October 28, 1997 (62 FR 56036-
56043). Interested persons were given until November 28, 1997 to submit 
comments. During the

[[Page 16372]]

30-day comment period only one letter of comment was received. The 
letter came from a trade association which represents grain, feed and 
oilseed processing facilities throughout the United States. While the 
commenter recognized that fee increases may be necessary from time to 
time, it encouraged AMS to continue efforts to provide efficient 
service at a competitive price to its customers. The commenter went on 
to state such efforts should include new and innovative ways to deliver 
service without degrading quality. AMS has been and continues to look 
for innovative ways to improve our efficiency of administering our 
science and technology programs.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 91

    Administrative practice and procedure, Agricultural commodities, 
Laboratories, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

7 CFR Part 93

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

7 CFR Part 96

    Administrative practice and procedure, Agricultural commodities, 
Laboratories, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, Chapter I of Title 7 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 91--SERVICES AND GENERAL INFORMATION

    1. The authority citation for part 91 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart I--Fees and Charges

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


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

* * * * *
    (a)  * *  *

       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, Acid Hydrolysis (Cheese)..............................        36.26
Fat (Dairy Products except Cheese).........................        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
Protein, Combustion........................................        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
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
        Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer (Per Residue)....        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

[[Page 16373]]

                                                                        
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
    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 D2 and D3).......................       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 Absorbancy 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
    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 prerequisite 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 infusion (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.          


[[Page 16374]]


            Table 6.--Laboratory Fees for Aflatoxin Analyses            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Fee per      Fee per  
          Aflatoxin test by commodity              single        pair   
                                                  analysis     analyses 
-----------------------------------------------------------------\1\----
Peanut Butter (TLC--CB--Affinity Column)......      $ 36.26        \2\NA
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)........        17.00           34
Shelled Peanuts (HPLC)........................        31.00           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)........................        17.00           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.                                          


     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,   $2.15.                                                                 
 Georgia S&TD Laboratory.                                                                                       
Courier Expense at Other AMS             Varies.                                                                
 Laboratories: Mileage Charge Set at                                                                            
 $0.31 Per Mile 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      $18.13 per report or certificate reissued.                             
 Certificate (\1/2\ hour charge).                                                                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 paragraph (a) of Sec. 91.37 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:

[[Page 16375]]

Sec. 91.40  Fees for courier service and facsimile 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 Sec. 91.37 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 for part 93 continues to read as follows:

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

    2. In Sec. 93.11, the definition for aflatoxin is revised to read 
as follows:


Sec. 93.11  Definitions.

* * * * *
    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 for 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 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 event 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: March 27, 1998.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8645 Filed 4-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P