U.S. GOVERNMENT RAISES EXPORT GRAIN, RICE INSPECTION FEES

U.S. GOVERNMENT RAISES EXPORT GRAIN, RICE INSPECTION FEES    The U.S. Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration has increased its export grain inspection and weighing services fees by 2.4 percent.
   The agency says the increase is needed to cover a 4.8-percent pay increase. Employee salaries and benefits account for 84 percent of the agency’s operating budget, and the increase would amount to $691.613.
   Hourly inspection fees have ranged from $25.20 to $38.60, depending on time of inspector availability and contractual arrangements with the agency.
   Under the U.S. Grain Standards Act, grain exported from the country must be inspected and weighed by the agency. The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration operates 37 export facilities around the country.
   The agency has also increased its hourly and unit rates for inspecting rice shipments by 4.8 percent. Rice exports must be inspected under the Agricultural Marketing Act.
   The regular hourly workday contract and non-contract fees for rice inspections have been $40.80 and $50.00 respectively. The agency estimates that the increased fees will generate an additional $138,000, based on a projected work volume of 3.9 million metric tons of rice in fiscal 2000.
   The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration says it’s reducing staff and improving the efficiency of its operations wherever possible. During the past several years, the agency has implemented automated material handling systems at export locations.