GIPSA PROPOSES INSPECTION FEE INCREASES FOR GRAIN, RICE

GIPSA PROPOSES INSPECTION FEE INCREASES FOR GRAIN, RICE    The U.S. Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration has proposed to increase certain grain inspection fees by 4.1 percent.
   GIPSA said the fees apply only to official inspection and weighing services performed in the United States under the U.S. Grain Standards Act.
   The agency said the inspection fee increase for grain shipments would help to cover the January 2003 federal pay increase and should generate about $685,000 in additional revenue.
   GIPSA also proposes a 4.1-percent increase in fees for all hourly rates and certain unit rates for rice shipment inspections under the Agricultural Marketing Act. Similarly, the agency said the fee increase would help to cover the recent federal pay increase.