[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 74 (Thursday, April 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21162-21166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08106]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 74 / Thursday, April 16, 2020 /
Notices
[[Page 21162]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Document No. AMS-LRRS-20-0033]
2020/2021 Rates Charged for AMS Services
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the
2020/2021 rates it will charge for voluntary grading, inspection,
certification, auditing, and laboratory services for a variety of
agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and
vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and cotton and tobacco. The 2020/2021
regular, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates will be
applied at the beginning of the crop year, fiscal year or as required
by law depending on the commodity. Other starting dates are added to
this notice based on cotton industry practices. This action establishes
the rates for user-funded programs based on costs incurred by AMS. This
year, all AMS user fee rates will remain unchanged.
DATES: April 17, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Parrott, AMS, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Room 3070-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC
20250; telephone (202) 260-9144, fax (202) 692-0313, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as
amended, (AMA) (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), provides for the collection of
fees to cover costs of various inspection, grading, certification or
auditing services covering many agricultural commodities and products.
The AMA also provides for the recovery of costs incurred in providing
laboratory services. The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C.
471-476) and the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51-65) provide for
classification of cotton and development of cotton standards materials
necessary for cotton classification. The Cotton Futures Act (7 U.S.C.
15b) provides for futures certification services and the Tobacco
Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511-511s) provides for tobacco inspection and
grading. These Acts also provide for the recovery of costs associated
with these services.
On November 13, 2014, the Department of Agriculture (Department)
published in the Federal Register a final rule that established
standardized formulas for calculating the fees charged by AMS user-
funded programs (79 FR 67313). Every year since then, the Department
has published in the Federal Register a notice announcing the rates for
its user-funded programs.
This notice announces the 2020/2021 fee rates for voluntary
grading, inspection, certification, auditing, and laboratory services
for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry,
fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and cotton and tobacco on
a per-hour rate and, in some instances, the equivalent per-unit cost.
The per-unit cost is provided to facilitate understanding of the costs
associated with the service to the industries that historically used
unit-cost basis for payment. The fee rates will be effective at the
beginning of the fiscal year, crop year, or as required by specific
laws.
The rates reflect direct and indirect costs of providing services.
Direct costs include the cost of salaries, employee benefits, and, if
applicable, travel and some operating costs. Indirect or overhead costs
include the cost of Program and Agency activities supporting the
services provided to the industry. The formula used to calculate these
rates also includes operating reserve, which may add to or draw upon
the existing operating reserves.
These services include the grading, inspection or certification of
quality factors in accordance with established U.S. Grade Standards or
other specifications; audits or accreditation according to
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and/or
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles; and
other marketing claims. The quality grades serve as a basis for market
prices and reflect the value of agricultural commodities to both
producers and consumers. AMS' grading and certification, audit and
accreditation, plant process and equipment verification, and laboratory
approval services are voluntary tools paid for by the users on a fee-
for-service basis. The agriculture industry can use these tools to
promote and communicate the quality of agricultural commodities to
consumers. Laboratory services are provided for analytic testing,
including but not limited to chemical, microbiological, biomolecular,
and physical analyses. AMS is required by statute to recover the costs
associated with these services.
As required by the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C.
471-476), consultations regarding the establishment of the fee for
cotton classification with U.S. cotton industry representatives are
held in the beginning of the year when most industry stakeholder
meetings take place. Representatives of all segments of the cotton
industry, including producers, ginners, bale storage facility
operators, merchants, cooperatives, and textile manufacturers were
informed of the fees during various industry-sponsored forums.
Rates Calculations
AMS calculated the rate for services, per hour per program
employee, using the following formulas (a per-unit base is included for
programs that charge for services on a per-unit basis):
(1) Regular rate. The total AMS grading, inspection, certification,
classification, audit, or laboratory service program personnel direct
pay divided by direct hours for the previous year, which is then
multiplied by the next year's percentage of cost of living increase,
plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate, plus the allowance for
bad debt rate. If applicable, travel expenses may also be added to the
cost of providing the service.
(2) Overtime rate. The total AMS grading, inspection,
certification, classification, audit, or laboratory service program
personnel direct pay divided by direct hours, which is then multiplied
by the next year's percentage of cost of living increase and then
multiplied by 1.5, plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate,
plus an allowance for bad debt. If applicable,
[[Page 21163]]
travel expenses may also be added to the cost of providing the service.
(3) Holiday rate. The total AMS grading, inspection, certification,
classification, audit, or laboratory service program personnel direct
pay divided by direct hours, which is then multiplied by the next
year's percentage of cost of living increase and then multiplied by 2,
plus the benefits rate, plus the operating rate, plus an allowance for
bad debt. If applicable, travel expenses may also be added to the cost
of providing the service.
All rates are per-hour except when a per-unit cost is noted. The
specific amounts in each rate calculation are available upon request
from the specific AMS program.
2020/2021 Rates
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Includes travel
Regular Overtime Holiday costs in rate Start date
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Cotton Fees
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7 CFR Part 27--Cotton Classification Under Cotton Futures Legislation
Subpart A--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 27.80-27.90 Costs of Classifications and Micronaire
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Cotton Standardization
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Certification for Futures Contract (Grading $4.25/bale X August 1, 2020.
services for samples submitted by CCC-
licensed samplers).
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Transfer of Certification Data to New Owner $0.20/bale X August 1, 2020.
or Certified Warehouse (Electronic transfer
performed).
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7 CFR Part 28--Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards
Subpart A--Regulations Under the United States Cotton Standards Act; Sec. Sec. 28.115-28.126 Fees and Costs
Subpart D--Cotton Classification and Market News Service for Producers; Sec. 28.909 Costs; Sec. 28.910 Classification of Samples and Issuance of
Classification Data; Sec. 28.911 Review Classification.
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Cotton Grading
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Form 1: Grading Services for Producers $2.30/bale X July 1, 2020.
(submitted by licensed sampler).
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Form 1 Review (new sample submitted by $2.30/bale X July 1, 2020.
licensed sampler).
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Form A Determinations (sample submitted by $2.30/bale X July 1, 2020.
licensed warehouse).
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Form C Determinations (sample submitted by $2.30/bale ............... July 1, 2020.
non-licensed entity; bale sampled under USDA
supervision).
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Form D Determination (sample submitted by $2.30/bale X July 1, 2020.
owner or agent; classification represents
sample only).
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Foreign Growth Classification (sample of $6.00/sample X August 1, 2020.
foreign growth cotton submitted by owner or
agent; classification represents sample
only).
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Arbitration (comparison of a sample to the $6.00/sample X August 1, 2020.
official standards or a sample type).
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Practical Cotton Classing Exam (for non-USDA Exam: $150/applicant Reexamination: $130/ X July 1, 2020.
employees). applicant
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Special Sample Handling (return of samples $0.50/sample X July 1, 2020.
per request).
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Electronic Copy of Classification Record..... $0.05/bale ($5.00/month minimum with any X July 1, 2020.
records received)
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Form A Rewrite (reissuance of Form 1, Form A, $0.15/bale or $5.00/page minimum X August 1, 2020.
or Futures Certification data or
combination).
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Form R (reissuance of Form 1 classification $0.15/bale or $5.00/page minimum X July 1, 2020.
only).
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International Instrument Level Assessment.... $4.00/sample X July 1, 2020.
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[[Page 21164]]
Dairy Fees
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7 CFR Part 58--Grading and Inspection, General Specifications for Approved Plants and Standards for Grades of Dairy Products
Subpart A--Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading Services of Manufactured or Processed Dairy Products; Sec. Sec. 58.38-58.46 Fees and
Charges
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Continuous Resident Grading Service.......... $76.00 $90.92 $107.24 X October 1, 2020.
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Non-resident and Intermittent Grading $82.00 $96.76 $116.64 X October 1, 2020.
Service; State Graders; Equipment Review.
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Non-resident Services 6pm-6am (10 percent $90.20 $106.44 $128.32 X October 1, 2020.
night differential).
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Export Certificate Services.................. $82.00 N/A N/A ............... October 1, 2020.
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Special Handling............................. $41.00 N/A N/A ............... October 1, 2020.
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Fax Charge................................... $4.00 N/A N/A ............... October 1, 2020.
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Derogation Application....................... $123.00 N/A N/A ............... October 1, 2020.
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Specialty Crops Fees
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7 CFR Part 51--Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Inspection, Certification, and Standards)
Subpart A--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 51.37-51.44 Schedule of Fees and Charges at Destination Markets Sec. 51.45 Schedule of Fees and Charges at
Shipping Point Areas
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Quality and Condition Inspections for Whole $210.00 per lot ............... October 1, 2020.
Lots.
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Quality and Condition Half Lot or Condition- $174.00 per lot ............... October 1, 2020.
Only Inspections for Whole Lots.
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Condition--Half Lot.......................... $161.00 per lot ............... October 1, 2020.
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Quality and Condition or Condition-Only $96.00 per lot ............... October 1, 2020.
Inspections for Additional Lots of the Same
Product.
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Dockside Inspections--Each package weighing < $0.044 per pkg. ............... October 1, 2020.
30 lbs..
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Dockside Inspections--Each package weighing > $0.068 per pkg. ............... October 1, 2020.
30 lbs..
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Charge per Individual Product for Dockside $210.00 per lot ............... October 1, 2020.
Inspection.
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Charge per Each Additional Lot of the Same $96.00 per lot ............... October 1, 2020.
Product.
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Inspections for All Hourly Work.............. $93.00 $125.00 $157.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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Audit Services--Federal...................... $115.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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Audit Services--State........................ $115.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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GFSI Certification Fee....................... $250 per audit ............... October 1, 2020.
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7 CFR Part 52--Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Other Processed Food Products
Subpart--Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification; Sec. Sec. 52.41-52.51 Fees and Charges
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Lot Inspections.............................. $75.00 $104.00 $133.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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In-plant Inspections Under Annual Contract $75.00 $103.00 $130.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
(year-round).
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Additional Graders (in-plant) or Less Than $85.00 $114.00 $142.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
Year-Round.
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Audit Services--Federal...................... $115.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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Audit Services--State........................ $115.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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[[Page 21165]]
GFSI Certification Fee....................... $250 per audit ............... October 1, 2020.
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Meat Fees
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7 CFR Part 54--Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards)
Subpart A--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 54.27-54.28 Charges for Service
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Scheduled Grading............................ $84.00 $103.00 $121.00 X October 1, 2020.
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Unscheduled Grading.......................... $114.00 $132.00 $154.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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Scheduled Night Differential (6 p.m.-6 a.m.). $93.00 $113.00 $121.00 X October 1, 2020.
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7 CFR Part 62--Livestock, Meat and Other
Agricultural Commodities (Quality Systems
Verification Programs)
Subpart A--Quality Systems Verification
Definitions Sec. 62.300 Fees and Other
Costs for Service
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Auditing Activities.......................... $115.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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Poultry Fees
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7 CFR Part 56--Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs
Subpart A--Grading of Shell Eggs; Sec. Sec. 56.45-56.54 Fees and Charges
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7 CFR Part 70--Voluntary Grading of Poultry and Rabbit Products
Subpart A--Grading of Poultry and Rabbit Products; Sec. Sec. 70.70-70.78 Fees and Charges
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Scheduled Grading............................ $62.00 $80.00 $97.00 X October 1, 2020.
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Scheduled, Night Differential (6 p.m.-6 a.m.) $68.00 $89.00 $97.00 X October 1, 2020.
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Scheduled, Sunday Differential............... $79.00 $103.00 N/A X October 1, 2020.
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Scheduled, Sunday and Night Differential..... $88.00 $114.00 N/A X October 1, 2020.
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Unscheduled Grading.......................... $99.00 $122.00 $147.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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Audit Service................................ $115.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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Science and Technology Fees
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7 CFR Part 91--Services and General Information (Science and Technology)
Subpart I--Fees and Charges; Sec. Sec. 91.37-91.45
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Laboratory Testing Services.................. $98.00 $115.00 $131.00 ............... October 1, 2020.
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Laboratory Approval Services \1\............. $188.00 $212.00 $237.00 X January 1, 2021.
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7 CFR Part 75--Regulations for Inspection and Certification of Quality of Agricultural and Vegetable Seeds
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Sec. 75.41 General
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Laboratory Testing........................... $58.00 $86.00 $115.00 X October 1, 2020.
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Administrative Fee........................... $14.50 per certificate ............... October 1, 2020.
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[[Page 21166]]
Tobacco Fees
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7 CFR Part 29--Tobacco Inspection
Subpart A--Policy Statement and Regulations Governing the Extension of Tobacco Inspection and Price Support Services to New Markets and to Additional
Sales on Designated Markets;
Subpart B--Regulations; Sec. Sec. 29.123-29.129 Fees and Charges; Sec. 29.500 Fees and charges for inspection and acceptance of imported tobacco
Subpart F--Policy Statement and Regulations Governing the Identification and Certification of Non-quota Tobacco Produced and Marketed in Quota Area;
Sec. 29.9251 Fees and Charges
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Domestic Permissive Inspection and $55.00 $64.00 $72.00 ............... July 1, 2020.
Certification (re-grading of domestic
tobacco for processing plants, retesting of
imported tobacco, and grading tobacco for
research stations.).
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Export Permissive Inspection and $0.0025/pound X July 1, 2020.
Certification (grading of domestic tobacco
for manufacturers and dealers for duty
drawback consideration).
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Grading for Risk Management Agency (for $0.015/pound X July 1, 2020.
Tobacco Crop Insurance Quality Adjustment
determinations).
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Pesticide Test Sampling (collection of $0.0065/kg or $0.0029/pound X July 1, 2020.
certified tobacco sample and shipment to AMS
National Science Laboratory for testing).
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Pesticide Retest Sampling (collection of $115.00/sample and $55.00/hour X July 1, 2020.
certified tobacco sample from a previously
sampled lot for re-testing at the AMS
National Science Laboratory; fee includes
shipping).
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Standards Course (training by USDA-certified $1,250.00/person ............... July 1, 2020.
instructor on tobacco grading procedures).
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Import Inspection and Certification (grading $0.0170/kg or $0.0080/pound X July 1, 2020
of imported tobacco for manufacturers and.
dealers).....................................
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\1\ Travel costs outside the United States will be added to the fee, if applicable.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 15b; 7 U.S.C. 473a-b; 7 U.S.C. 55 and 61; 7
U.S.C. 51-65; 7 U.S.C. 471-476; 7 U.S.C. 511, 511s; and 7 U.S.C.
1621-1627.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-08106 Filed 4-15-20; 8:45 am]
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