[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58969-58974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20310]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 11, 2005 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 58969]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Parts 54 and 62

[No. LS-02-10]
RIN 0581-AC12


Quality Systems Verification Programs

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is establishing a 
separate user-fee schedule for the Quality Systems Verification 
Programs (QSVP) and expanding the scope of the QSVP to include all 
agricultural products and services within the responsibility of the 
Livestock and Seed (LS) Program. A new part 62 is established for QSVP 
services. QVSP are a collection of voluntary, audit-based, user-fee 
programs authorized under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. QSVP 
facilitate the global marketing and trade of agricultural products; 
provide consumers the opportunity to distinguish specific 
characteristics involved in the production and processing of 
agricultural products; and ensure that product consistently meets 
program requirements.

DATES: Effective October 25, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James L. Riva, Chief, Audit, Review, 
and Compliance (ARC) Branch, telephone 202-720-1124, or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background and Discussion

    The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA), as amended, (7 U.S.C. 
1621, et seq.), gives AMS the authority to provide services so that 
agricultural products may be marketed to their best advantage, that 
trade may be facilitated, and that consumers may be able to ascertain 
characteristics involved in the production and processing of products 
and obtain the quality of product they desire. AMA also provides for 
the collection of fees from users of these services that are reasonable 
and cover the cost of providing services.
    The QSVP were developed in 1995 and have since grown to include 
several value-added marketing programs. The QSVP have grown steadily 
over the past few years, with auditors conducting 385 assessments in 
fiscal year (FY) 2001, 562 assessments in FY 2002, and 715 assessments 
in FY 2003, and 915 assessments in FY 2004. Presently, 14 full'time 
auditors conduct assessments for the LS Program.
    QSVP are voluntary, audit-based, user-fee funded programs developed 
and conducted at the request of industry and others as a cost-effective 
alternative to conventional product certification. QSVP use 
International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Guidelines and 
standards as a format for evaluating program documentation to ensure 
consistent assessment practices and promote international recognition 
of assessment results.
    QSVP user-fees were previously based on the approved hourly rate 
established for meat grading and certification services provided by the 
Meat Grading and Certification (MGC) Branch pursuant to 7 CFR part 54. 
Following the initial program development period, LS Program management 
conducted a detailed cost analysis of QSVP services and determined that 
the existing hourly rate established for meat grading and certification 
services did not sufficiently cover the cost of providing QSVP 
services. Due to the complexity of planning, performing and 
interpreting the results of assessments, auditor positions are 
classified at the GS-11/12 pay grade, in contrast to the GS-5/7/9 pay 
grade classifications of most MGC Branch full-time positions.
    Upon considering all QSVP operational expenses, the LS Program 
determined that the actual cost of QSVP services, excluding travel 
costs, to be $108 per hour. LS Program management considered employee 
salaries and benefits; Agency and LS Program overhead; total revenue 
hours available to the ARC Branch; and included other anticipated costs 
such as, federally mandated pay raises through FY 2005, rent, 
communications, utilities, contractual services, supplies, and 
equipment in their analysis.
    The LS Program considered alternatives to creating a separate user-
fee for QSVP services, but found that none were sufficient. Maintaining 
the same user-fee for QSVP services currently used for conventional 
meat grading and certification services would not sufficiently cover 
the cost of providing QSVP services. Another option was to terminate 
all QSVP services, which would adversely affect producers, businesses, 
and consumers who desire QSVP services and those entities with already-
established programs.
    The QSVP were administered through the LS Program's MGC Branch 
pursuant to 7 CFR part 54 using the user-fee schedule established for 
meat grading and certification services. In 2001, the administration of 
QSVP was moved by the LS Program to the Audit, Review, and Compliance 
(ARC) Branch. This rule establishes a separate user-fee of $108 per 
hour for QSVP services under a new part 62. Additionally, this rule 
expands the scope of QSVP services to include all agricultural products 
or services within the responsibility of the LS Program, such as 
livestock, meat, meat products, seed, feedstuffs, as well as processes 
involving the production of these products, agricultural product data 
storage, product traceability and identification. A new part 62 is 
established for QSVP services.

Executive Order 12866

    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. It is not intended to have retroactive effect and would 
not preempt or supersede any State or local laws, regulations, or 
policies, unless they present an irreconcilable conflict. There are no 
administrative procedures that must be exhausted prior to any judicial 
challenge to the provisions of this rule.

[[Page 58970]]

Regulatory Flexibility Act and Paperwork Reduction Act

    Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA)(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), AMS has considered the 
economic effect of this action on small entities and has determined 
that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The purpose of RFA is to fit 
regulatory actions to the scale of businesses subject to such actions 
in order that small businesses will not be unduly burdened.
    AMS, through the LS Program's ARC Branch, provides voluntary 
assessment services to approximately 415 businesses, including 152 
livestock slaughterers, 72 meat processors, 46 livestock producers 
feeders, 135 organic certifying companies, 4 trade associations, and 4 
State and Federal entities. Seventy-five percent (i.e., 346) of these 
businesses are classified as small entities and generate approximately 
65 percent of the ARC Branch's revenue. AMS anticipates that many new 
applicants for QSVP will be classified as small entities. The Small 
Business Administration (13 CFR 121.201) defines small agricultural 
producers as those having annual receipts of less than $750,000; small 
agricultural service firms as those whose annual receipts are less than 
$6 million; and small meat packers as those that have less than 500 
employees. No entity, small or large, is obligated to use voluntary 
QSVP services provided under the authority of AMA.
    AMS regularly reviews its user-fee-financed programs to determine 
if the fees are adequate to cover the cost of the services provided. 
The most recent review determined that the hourly rate previously 
charged by the ARC Branch for QSVP services did not generate sufficient 
revenues to recover operating costs for current and near-term periods 
while maintaining a 4-month operating reserve of $275,000. In FY 2004, 
the ARC Branch incurred a $330,000 operating loss. Losses have depleted 
the ARC Branch's operating reserve and placed the ARC Branch in an 
unstable financial position that could adversely affected its ability 
to provide QSVP services.
    While existing automated information management systems for data 
collection, retrieval, dissemination, applicant billing, and 
disbursement of employee entitlements, were utilized, the ARC Branch 
continued to lose revenue due to the cost of providing QSVP services 
utilizing auditors classified at the GS-11/12 pay grade while charging 
a user-fee that is based on a lower GS-5/7/9 pay grade classification.
    The ARC Branch operating costs increased as a result of higher 
salaries associated with higher grade employees; congressionally 
mandated salary increases for all Federal Government employees; ongoing 
information system technology upgrades necessary to remain compatible 
with customer and Agency systems; inflation of non-salary operating 
expenses; and office maintenance expenses. AMS estimates that this 
action will provide the ARC Branch with an additional $576,000 for FY 
2006, offsetting the FY 2005 operating losses of $558,000. This fee 
increase will help create a 4-month operating reserve as required by 
AMS.
    The new part 62 includes sections on definitions; sections related 
to providing services, including availability and how to apply for 
services; and suspension, denial, or cancellation of service and other 
sections relating to fees. These sections are similar to, or the same 
as, provisions that currently apply to Quality Systems Verification 
Programs.
    The information collection requirements that appear in this final 
rule have been approved by OMB and assigned OMB Control Number 0581-
0124. Under this rule, applicants are required to submit a cover letter 
and a complete copy of the applicant's program documentation when a 
request for service is made. This is a one-time requirement per service 
request. The QSVP also requires applicants to retain records and 
documents necessary to support the requested service for the period of 
at least one calendar year following the year the record was created 
and long enough to assess conformance of the product though the 
applicant's quality management system. Additionally, applicants must 
ensure that such records and documents are readily available and easily 
accessible.
    AMS' estimate for recordkeeping burden reflects the amount of time 
needed to prepare, store, and maintain documents. Based on its 
experience with QSVP, AMS understands that applicants develop and 
maintain complete documentation of their programs as a normal business 
practice. AMS believes the cost burden associated with submission of 
complete program documentation to be limited to the time needed for the 
applicant to review the documentation for completeness and accuracy. 
AMS estimates this time to average 24 hours per applicant at $20.00 per 
hour for a total one-time burden per applicant of $480.00. AMS 
estimates the total one-time burden if 50 applicants applied under this 
rule to be $24,000.
    Based on its experience, AMS also believes that the documents and 
records required to be retained are normally retained by applicants as 
part of their normal business practices. However, if record keepers 
were compensated for their time, AMS estimates that the time required 
for each applicant to retain these records and documents in a manner 
required in the rule to average 6 hours per year at $20.00 per hour for 
a total annual burden of $120.00 per applicant. Assuming that 50 
applicants are retained under this rule, the total annual burden is 
estimated to be $6,000.
    Comments concerning small business consideration and the 
information collection burden or discussed in the next section of this 
document.

Comments

    AMS published a proposed rule in the April 7, 2005, Federal 
Register [66 FR 17611] for public comment. The comment period ended on 
May 9, 2005. The comment period regarding the information collection 
requirements that would result from this proposal ended on June 6, 
2005. The comments have been posted on AMS' Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/rule.htm.

Discussion of Comments

    USDA received 3 comments from interested persons, which included 
two seed trade organizations and one interested party. While one of the 
seed organizations did not oppose the proposed rule, the second 
recommended an alternative program that would delegate certification 
activities to existing organizations. The comment from the interested 
party opposed the QSVP as a new program that would enhance the federal 
deficit. The commenters raised a number of concerns including 
establishing duplicative or conflicting service for the seed industry 
and questioning the fee analysis itself.
    The QSVP is an established program that began providing service in 
1995, as a voluntary, user-fee funded program, under the authority of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. As such, expanding the scope of 
the QSVP to include all agricultural products and services within the 
responsibility of the LS Program will not enhance the federal deficit. 
Further, with regard to expanding program service to the seed industry, 
the QSVP will facilitate the global marketing and trade of not only 
seeds and seed products, but all agricultural products and services 
under the LS Program. With regard to the concerns raised about 
duplicative and conflicting service for the seed industry,

[[Page 58971]]

we believe that the QSVP has and will provide a valuable resource for 
those businesses and industries that wish to use a USDA shield or 
statement. One commenter noted that some facilities are already ISO 
certified and that this should be taken into account in the QSVP 
procedure. To the extent appropriate, ISO certification will be taken 
into account under QSVP.
    One commenter suggested that the QSVP programs be changed to a 
program that would delegate certification activities to existing 
organizations. Also, another commenter was concerned about the QSVP 
adding a layer of complexity in connection with marketing of seed both 
domestically and internationally. The existing QSVP provides services 
to primarily the livestock and meat industries. This final rule will 
provide the same services in the expanded program format, which 
includes the seed industry. As such, this does not represent a 
significant program change. Further, individual entities are free to 
request QSVP services or not, as the program is voluntary.
    Concerns were raised about certain aspects of the fee analysis. Two 
commenters were of the view that the $20.00 per hour used to estimate 
the costs for the applicant was too low. As part of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act burden estimate, a $20.00 per hour cost was based upon 
our experience with QSVP and is reasonable for purposes of information 
collection burden estimates. The $20.00 cost is separate and distinct 
from the $108.00 per hour fee. The commenters also noted that the 
methodology concerning the $108.00 per hour fee is sound, but that non-
salary expenses were three times the expense for salaries. The charge 
of $108.00 per hour reflects the rate necessary to recover the costs of 
administering the QSVP. AMS considered numerous factors in developing 
the rate to charge to provide services. AMS and LS Program management 
considered employee salaries and benefits; Agency and LS Program 
overhead; total revenue hours available to the ARC Branch; and included 
other anticipated costs, such as federally mandated pay raises, rent, 
communications, utilities, contractual services, supplies, and 
equipment in their analysis.
    Finally, one commenter questioned the salaries of the employees 
used in the program. This commenter also disagreed that the rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on small companies. AMS 
estimates that this action will provide an additional $420,000 for FY 
2005. Of the $420,000, small businesses would pay an average of $878.00 
more per year per applicant. A similar result is expected for new 
applicants who would be considered small businesses. Further, no 
entity, small or large, is obligated to use voluntary QSVP services 
provided under the authority of the AMA. Accordingly, we disagree with 
this comment.
    Another commenter questioned the size of businesses with 5,000 
employees, noting that such entities should be considered large 
businesses. Under Small Business Administration criteria, certain 
entities with less than 500 employees are considered small businesses.
    No changes to the regulation will be made as a result of the 
comments received. However, AMS will continue to work with the existing 
trade organizations and their respective industries regarding 
implementation of this and any future rulemakings.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 533, it is found and determined that good 
cause exists for not postponing the effective date of this action until 
30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The fees should be 
implemented as soon as possible to avoid further financial losses for 
the program. Given the current status of this program, our effective 
date of two weeks after publication in the Federal Register is 
reasonable.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 54

    Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products.

7 CFR Part 62

    Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Meat and meat products.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, chapter 1 of title 7 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations is amended by amending part 54 and adding 
part 62 to read as follows:

PART 54--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 54 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.


Sec.  54.4  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  54.4, paragraph (5) is removed.

0
3. Part 62 is added to read as follows:

PART 62--LIVESTOCK, MEAT, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES 
(QUALITY SYSTEMS VERIFICATION PROGRAMS)

Subpart A--Quality Systems Verification Programs Definitions
Sec.
62.000 Meaning of terms.

Administration

62.100 Administrator.

Service

62.200 Services.
62.201 Availability of service.
62.202 How to apply for service.
62.203 How to withdraw service.
62.204 Authority to request service.
62.205 Conflict of interest.
62.206 Access to program documents and activities.
62.207 Official assessment.
62.208 Publication of QSVP assessment status.
62.209 Reassessment.
62.210 Denial, suspension, or cancellation of service.
62.211 Appeals.
62.212 Official assessment reports.
62.213 Official identification.

Charges for Service

62.300 Fees and other costs for service.
62.301 Payment of fees and other charges.

Miscellaneous

OMB Control Number

62.400 OMB control number assigned pursuant to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. Sec. 1621-1627.

Subpart A--Quality Systems Verification Programs Definitions


Sec.  62.000  Meaning of terms.

    Words used in this subpart in the singular form shall be deemed to 
impart the plural, and vice versa, as the case may demand. For the 
purposes of such regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, 
the following terms shall be construed, respectively, to mean:
    Administrator. The Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS), or any officer or employee of AMS to whom authority has 
heretofore been delegated or to whom authority may hereafter be 
delegated, to act in the Administrator's stead.
    Agricultural Marketing Service. The Agricultural Marketing Service 
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    Applicant. Any individual or business with financial interest in 
QSVP services who has applied for service under this part.
    Assessment. A systematic review of the adequacy of program or 
system documentation, or the review of the completeness of 
implementation of a documented program or system.
    Auditor. Person authorized by the Livestock and Seed Program to 
conduct official assessments.
    Branch. The Audit, Review, and Compliance Branch of the Livestock 
and Seed Program.
    Chief. The Chief of the ARC Branch, or any officer or employee of 
the Branch

[[Page 58972]]

to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority 
may hereafter be delegated, to act in the Chief's stead.
    Conformance. A user's quality manual and supporting documentation.
    Deputy Administrator. The Deputy Administrator of the Livestock and 
Seed Program, or any officer or employee of the Livestock and Seed 
Program to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom 
authority may hereafter be delegated, to act in the Deputy 
Administrator's stead.
    Financially interested person. Any individual, partnership, 
corporation, other legal entity, or Government agency having a 
financial interest in the involved product or service.
    Livestock. Bovine, ovine, porcine, caprine, bison or class of 
Osteichthyes.
    Official mark. Official mark or other official identification means 
any form of mark or other identification, used under the regulations to 
show the conformance of products with applicable program requirements, 
or to maintain the identity of products for which service is provided 
under the regulations.
    Official memoranda or assessment reports. Official memorandum means 
any assessment report of initial or final record of findings made by an 
authorized person of services performed pursuant to the regulations.
    Products. Includes all agricultural commodities and services within 
the scope of the Livestock and Seed Program This includes livestock, 
meat, meat products, seed, feedstuffs, as well as processes involving 
the production of these products, agricultural product data storage, 
product traceability and identification.
    QSVP Procedures. Audit rules and guidelines set forth by the 
Agricultural Marketing Service regarding the development, 
documentation, and implementation of QSVP.
    Quality Manual. A collection of documents that describe the 
applicant's quality management system, as it applies to the requested 
service.
    Quality Systems Verification Programs (QSVP). A collection of 
voluntary, audit-based, user-fee programs that allow applicants to have 
program documentation and program processes assessed by AMS auditor(s) 
and other USDA officials under this part.
    Regulations. The regulations in this part.
    USDA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Administration


Sec.  62.100  Administrator.

    The LS Program Deputy Administrator is charged with the 
administration of official assessments conducted according to the 
regulations in this part and approved LS Program QSVP procedures.

Service


Sec.  62.200  Services.

    QSVP, under this regulation, provide applicants, the ability to 
have USDA assess documented processes or systems.
    (a) Assessment services provided under the regulations shall 
consist of:
    (1) A review of the adequacy of an applicant's quality manual 
against LS Program QSVP procedures, internationally recognized 
guidelines, or other requirements as approved by the LS Program;
    (2) An onsite assessment of the applicant's program to ensure 
implementation of provisions within the quality manual and the 
applicant's conformance with applicable program requirements and LS 
Program QSVP procedures; and
    (3) A reassessment of the applicant's program to ensure continued 
implementation of provisions within the quality manual and the 
applicant's conformance with program requirements and applicable LS 
Program QSVP procedures;
    (b) Developmental assistance in the form of training to explain LS 
Program QSVP procedures is available upon request.


Sec.  62.201  Availability of service.

    QSVP services under these regulations are available to 
international and domestic government agencies, private agricultural 
businesses and any finically interested person.


Sec.  62.202  How to apply for service.

    Applicants may apply for QSVP services by submitting the following 
information to the ARC Branch headquarters office at USDA, AMS, LSP, 
ARC Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0294, Room 2627-S, 
Washington, DC 20250-0294; by fax to: (202) 690-1038, or e-mail to: 
[email protected].
    (a) The original completed form LS-313, Application for Service;
    (b) A letter requesting QSVP services; and
    (c) A complete copy of the applicant's program documentation, as 
described in the LS Program QSVP procedures.


Sec.  62.203  How to withdraw service.

    Service may be withdrawn by the applicant at any time; provided 
that, the applicant notifies the ARC Branch in writing of his/her 
desire to withdraw the application for service and pays any expenses 
the Department has incurred in connection with such application.


Sec.  62.204  Authority to request service.

    Any person requesting service may be required to prove his/her 
financial interest in the product or service at the discretion of the 
Deputy Administrator.


Sec.  62.205  Conflict of interest.

    No USDA official shall review any program documentation or 
determine conformance of any documented process or system in which the 
USDA official has financial holdings.


Sec.  62.206  Access to program documents and activities.

    (a) The applicant shall make its products and program documentation 
available and easily accessible for assessment, with respect to the 
requested service. Auditors and other USDA officials responsible for 
maintaining uniformity and accuracy of service under the regulations 
shall have access to all parts of facilities covered by approved 
applications for service under the regulations, during normal business 
hours or during periods of production, for the purpose of evaluating 
products or processes. This includes products in facilities which have 
been or are to be examined for program conformance or which bear any 
official marks of conformance. This further includes any facilities or 
operation that is part of an approved program.
    (b) Documentation and records relating to an applicant's program 
must be retained for at least one calendar year following the calendar 
year during which the record was created.


Sec.  62.207  Official assessment.

    Official assessment of an applicant's program shall include:
    (a) Documentation assessment. Auditors and other USDA officials 
shall review the applicant's program documentation and issue finding of 
the review to the applicant.
    (b) Program assessment. Auditors and USDA officials shall conduct 
an onsite assessment of the applicant's program to ensure provisions of 
the applicant's program documentation have been implemented and conform 
to LS Program QSVP procedures.
    (c) Program Determination. Applicant's determined to meet or not 
meet LS Program QSVP procedures or

[[Page 58973]]

the applicant's program requirements shall be notified of their 
program's approval or disapproval.
    (d) Corrective and/or preventative actions. Applicants may be 
required to implement corrective and/or preventative actions upon 
completion of assessment. After implementation of corrective and/or 
preventative actions, the applicant may request another assessment.


Sec.  62.208  Publication of QSVP assessment status.

    Approved programs shall be posted for public reference on the ARC 
Branch Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/audit.htm. Such 
postings shall include:
    (a) Program name and contact information,
    (b) Products or services covered under the scope of approval,
    (c) Effective dates of approval, and
    (d) Control numbers of official assessments, as appropriate, and
    (e) Any other information deemed necessary by the Branch Chief.


Sec.  62.209  Reassessment.

    Approved programs are subject to periodic reassessments to ensure 
ongoing conformance with the LS Program QSVP procedures covered under 
the scope of approval. The frequency of reassessments shall be based on 
the LS Program QSVP procedures, or as determined by the Deputy 
Administrator.


Sec.  62.210  Denial, suspension, or cancellation of service.

    (a) QSVP services may be denied if an applicant fails to meet its 
program requirements, or conform to LS Program QSVP procedures, such 
as:
    (1) Adequately address any program requirement resulting in a major 
non-conformance or an accumulation of minor non-conformances that 
result in the assignment of a major non-conformance for the program.
    (2) Demonstrate capability to meet any program requirement 
resulting in a major non-conformance.
    (3) Present truthful and accurate information to any auditor or 
other USDA official; or
    (4) Allow access to facilities and records within the scope of the 
program.
    (b) QSVP services may be suspended if the applicant fails to meet 
its program requirements, or conform to LS Program QSVP procedures; 
such as failure to:
    (1) Adequately address any program requirement resulting in a major 
non-conformance;
    (2) Demonstrate capability to meet any program requirement 
resulting in a major non-conformance;
    (3) Follow and maintain it's approved program or QSVP procedures;
    (4) Provide corrective actions and correction as applicable in the 
timeframe specified;
    (5) Submit significant changes to and seek approval from the Chief 
prior to implementation of significant changes to an approved program;
    (6) Allow access to facilities and records within the scope of the 
approved program;
    (7) Accurately represent the eligibility of agricultural products 
or services distributed under an approved program;
    (8) Remit payment for QSVP services;
    (9) Abstain from any fraudulent or deceptive practice in connection 
with any application or request for service under the rule; or
    (10) Allow any auditor or other USDA official to perform their 
duties under the regulations of this part.
    (c) QSVP services maybe be cancelled, an application may be 
rejected, or program assessment may be terminated if the Deputy 
Administrator or his designee determines that a nonconformance has 
remained uncorrected beyond a reasonable amount of time.


Sec.  62.211  Appeals.

    Appeals of adverse decisions under this part, may be made in 
writing to the Livestock and Seed Program Deputy Administrator at STOP 
0249, Room 2092-South, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 
20250-0249. Appeals must be made within 30 days of receipt of adverse 
decision.
    (a) Procedure for Appeals. Actions under this subparagraph 
concerning decision of appeals of the Deputy Administrator shall be 
conducted in accordance with the Rule of Practice Governing Formal 
Adjudicatory Proceedings Instituted by the Secretary Under Various 
Statutes set forth at 7 CFR Sec.  1.130 through Sec.  1.151 and the 
Supplemental Rules of Practice in 7 CFR part 50.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  62.212  Official assessment reports.

    Official QSVP assessment reports shall be generated by the auditor 
at the conclusion of each assessment and a copy shall be provided to 
the applicant.


Sec.  62.213  Official identification.

    The following, as shown in figure 1, constitutes official 
identification to show product or services produced under an approved 
USDA, Process Verified Program (PVP):
    Figure 1.
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR11OC05.174
    
    (a) Products or services produced under an approved USDA, PVP may 
use the ``USDA Process Verified'' statement and the ``USDA Process 
Verified'' shield, so long as, both the statement and shield are used 
in direct association with a clear description of the process verified 
points that have been approved by the Branch.
    (b) Use of the ``USDA Process Verified'' statement and the ``USDA 
Process Verified'' shield shall be approved in writing by Chief prior 
to use by an applicant.

Charges for Service


Sec.  62.300  Fees and other costs for service.

    Fees and other charges will be levied based on the following 
provisions:
    (a) Fees for service. Fees for QSVP services shall be based on the 
time required to provide service calculated to the nearest quarter hour 
period, including, but not limited to, official assessment time, travel 
time, and time required to prepare assessment reports. The hourly fee 
rate shall be $108 per hour.
    (b) Transportation costs. Applicants are responsible for paying 
actual travel costs incurred to provide QSVP services including but not 
limited to: Mileage charges for use of privately owned vehicles, rental 
vehicles and gas, parking, tolls, and public transportation costs such 
as airfare, train, and taxi service.
    (c) Per diem costs. The applicant is responsible for paying per 
diem costs incurred to provide QSVP services away from the auditor's or 
USDA officials' official duty station(s). Per diem costs shall be 
calculated in accordance with existing travel regulations (41 CFR, 
subtitle F--Federal Travel Regulation System, chapter 301).
    (d) Other costs. When costs, other than those costs specified in 
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, are involved in providing 
the QSVP services, the applicant shall be responsible for these costs. 
The amount of these costs shall be determined administratively by the 
Chief. However, the applicant will be notified of these costs before 
the service is rendered.

[[Page 58974]]

Sec.  62.301  Payment of fees and other charges.

    Fees and other charges for QSVP services shall be paid in 
accordance with the following provisions. Upon receipt of billing for 
fees and other charges, the applicant shall remit payment within 10 
business days by check, electronic funds transfer, draft, or money 
order made payable to USDA, AMS, in accordance with directions on the 
billing. Fees and charges shall be paid in advance if required by the 
auditor or other authorized USDA official.

Miscellaneous

OMB Control Number


Sec.  62.400  OMB control number assigned pursuant to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

    The information collection and recordkeeping requirements of this 
part have been approved by OMB under 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35 and have been 
assigned OMB Control Number 0581-0124.

    Dated: October 4, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20310 Filed 10-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P