Revision of Laboratory Service Fees

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend

current fees and to add new fees for laboratory testing services for

agricultural commodities. This proposed rule includes additional tests

for various commodity products. This document reflects increased

program costs including the cost-of-living adjustments since the last

fee changes.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning

this proposed rule. Comments should be sent in triplicate to James V.

Falk, Docket Manager, USDA, AMS, Science and Technology, P.O. Box

96456, Room 3517-South, Washington, DC 20090-6456 and should refer to

the docket title and number located in the heading of this document.

Comments received will be available for public inspection in Room 3507,

South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, between the

hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday,

except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Alan R. Post, (202) 720-3322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposed 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 proposal 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

Division's (S&TD) 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 S&TD 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 S&TD

Laboratory Program 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 S&TD

Midwestern Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois. For fiscal year 1997 the

Science and Technology Division expects to report 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 the S&TD expects to incur 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 are projected to decline 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

S&TD 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 Division to improve efficiency of

operations and responsiveness of services. We expect the Laboratory

Program to end fiscal year 1997 with an operating reserve of $3,261,000

which will provide 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 would increase

by approximately 6 percent. These fees are competitive to the fees

found in price lists distributed by private laboratories. Furthermore,

users of S&TD testing services are under no obligation to use them.

This proposed 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 would 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 divisions (Cotton, Poultry, Fruit and Vegetable, Tobacco,

Dairy, and Livestock and Seed) to its S&TD, formerly the Science

Division. The rule included fees charged for testing and related

services under the diversified S&TD 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 S&TD laboratory testing fees for certain dairy products

and established additional tests with fees for dairy products for

incorporation into existing schedules.

The S&TD 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

[[Page 56037]]

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 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.

There is a need to revise the list of testing services available

due to changes in analytical methodologies and customer service needs.

Under this proposed 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 (cheese and related

products), 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 are projected to be $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

S&TD's last fee increase in August 1993 (58 FR 42408) total annual

revenue of the S&TD's 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 in FY 1998, at the current fee

levels, the S&TD 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, S&TD is proposing to

increase 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 would be increased from $34.20 to $36.26 (6 percent). In addition,

the laboratory rate for appeals, holiday and overtime service would 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 would also increase by 6 percent. These fee

increases are needed because of a statistical based cottonseed lot size

study by S&TD 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 proposes to revise 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 would be raised from $1,100.00

to $1,166.00 for the examination, while the fee for renewal of the

license would be increased from $275.00 to $292.00.

The laboratory fees for aflatoxin analyses in Table 6 in Part 91

would 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) would 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 would

increase by 6 to 21 percent because there are corresponding increased

costs of the expendable supplies and materials to perform these

analyses.

The rule would 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 S&TD (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

[[Page 56038]]

increased expenses in specialized supplies and materials required to

perform the requested analyses.

This proposal provides for a 30-day comment period. This period is

deemed appropriate in view of the need to make revisions to the current

fee schedules without delay if approved.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 91

Administrative practice and procedure, Science and Technology

Division Laboratories, Fees and charges

7 CFR Part 93

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

7 CFR Part 96

Cottonseeds, Chemist's licensure, Cottonseed quality analysis,

Official grade.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, Title 7, chapter I is

proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 91--SERVICES AND GENERAL INFORMATION

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

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

Subpart I--Fees and Charges

2. In Sec. 91.37, Tables 1 through 8 and paragraph (b) are revised

and a new paragraph (d) is added to read as follows:

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

* * * * *

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 (Dairy Products)....................................... 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

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

[[Page 56039]]

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

3Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer................. 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

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

[[Page 56040]]

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 D 2 and D 3)..................... 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 Absorbency 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

[[Page 56041]]

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 prerequistite 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 infusive (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.

Table 6.--Laboratory Fees for Aflatoxin Analyses

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

Fee per

Aflatoxin test by commodity single Fee per pair

analysis analyses \1\

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

Peanut Butter (TLC--CB--Affinity Column).. $36.26 NA \2\

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 34

Shelled Peanuts (HPLC).................... 31 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 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.

[[Page 56042]]

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, Georgia $2.15

S&TD Laboratory.

Courier Expense at Other AMS Laboratories:

Mileage Charge Set at $0.31 Per Mile Varies

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 Certificate $18.13 per report or

(\1/2\ hour charge). certificate reissued

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

(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 Sec. 91.37(a) 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:

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

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

Subpart B--Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Corn and Other Oilseeds

2. In Sec. 93.11, the definition for ``aflatoxin'' is revised to

read as follows:

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 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

[[Page 56043]]

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 evident 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: October 17, 1997.

Lon Hatamiya,

Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 97-28454 Filed 10-27-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-U