Veterinary Services User Fees, 88697-88712 [2024-25826]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88697-88712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25826]


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 217 / Friday, November 8, 2024 / 
Notices

[[Page 88697]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2023-0058]


Veterinary Services User Fees

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 
announcing its proposed adjusted user fee rates for the costs of 
providing certain goods and services, including veterinary diagnostic 
goods and services and veterinary services for imports and exports of 
live animals and animal products. This includes the basis for any 
proposed adjusted fee change. This action is necessary because the 
regulations provide that APHIS will issue such a notice. This action 
would ensure that the fees charged more closely align with the costs of 
providing the goods or services.

DATES: We will consider all comments we receive on or before December 
9, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2023-0058 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2023-0058, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 2C-10.16, Unit 25, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at 
regulations.gov or in our reading room which is located in room 1620 of 
the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to 
help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the user fee 
activities covered by this notice, contact Ms. Lisa Slimmer, User Fee 
Financial Team Manager, Veterinary Services Money Management, 920 Main 
Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606; (919) 414-7205.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations in 9 CFR part 130 (referred to below as the 
regulations or the user fee regulations), cover user fees to reimburse 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) for the costs of providing veterinary 
diagnostic services and import/export related services for live 
animals, animal products and byproducts, poultry, birds, germplasm, 
organisms, and vectors. These user fees are authorized by section 
2509(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act (FACT 
Act) of 1990, as amended (21 U.S.C. 136a(c)), which provides that the 
Secretary of Agriculture may, among other things, prescribe regulations 
and collect fees to recover the costs of providing import/export 
related services for animals, animal products and byproducts, birds, 
germplasm, organisms, and vectors, and for veterinary diagnostics 
relating to the control and eradication of communicable diseases of 
livestock or poultry within the United States.
    Since fiscal year 1992, APHIS has received no directly appropriated 
funds to cover the cost of certain veterinary diagnostics or to provide 
import/export related services for animals, animal products and 
byproducts, birds, germplasm, organisms, and vectors. Our ability to 
provide these services depends on user fees. User fees are associated 
with providing services for live animal, animal product, bird, and 
germplasm imports and exports and the user fees fund, among other 
things, quarantine services, the processing of import permit 
applications, port of entry inspections, inspections and approvals of 
import/export facilities and establishments, endorsements of export 
certificates, and services related to emergency situations that arise 
during the export or import process.
    On August 1, 2023, APHIS published a final rule \1\ in the Federal 
Register that revised the regulations (88 FR 49994-50002, Docket No. 
APHIS-2021-0052). This rule removed tables providing the individual 
fees from the regulations and instead indicated that they are posted on 
the following website: www.aphis.usda.gov/business-services/vs-fees. It 
also provided that, on an annual basis, APHIS would propose changes to 
the fee rates through publication of a notice in the Federal Register.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the proposed rule, final rule, and the comments we 
received, go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-2021-0052 in the 
Search field.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This is the first such notice. Below, we provide a general overview 
of the factors that led most of our proposed adjusted fees to increase, 
then provide a summary of the cost components for our fees, as set 
forth in the revised regulations. In this discussion, we provide three 
examples to demonstrate the fee calculations. Then, we proceed table by 
table, sequentially, for each table set forth in the previous 
regulations. In each table, the first column sets forth the current fee 
and the second column sets forth the proposed adjusted fee.

Overview of Factors Leading to Proposed Adjusted Fee Increases

    As we forecasted in the proposed rule (see footnote 1) on which the 
August 2023 final rule was based, most rates will change and increase. 
The increase in fees within the tables throughout this notice are based 
on several factors including: Time, inflation, increase in subject 
matter expert workload, a shift in the level of work complexity, and 
trade and the general economy. As we stated in that same proposed rule, 
this is primarily because the current fees were established in 2011 and 
2012 using the best available 2009 data. The actual costs of providing 
the services have increased in the intervening decade. This increase in 
costs pertains not only to direct costs, but also to indirect costs 
associated with the services. As noted in our proposed rule, the 2011 
and 2012 fees did not anticipate the high level of information 
technology investment needed to meet customer demand to conduct 
business with APHIS' Veterinary Services (VS). Additionally,

[[Page 88698]]

the capital required to keep our facilities operational is subject to 
the same inflationary pressures as the general economy.
    Another factor impacting fee classes is an increased level of 
effort and expertise associated with providing certain services. 
Changing trade requirements in the intervening years have resulted in 
additional complexities in the work in this field, such as the issuance 
of export health certificates. For example, many trading partners 
(importing countries) have historically accepted VS forms with minimal 
health information. These VS forms contained all health information on 
one page. Also, the use of forms allowed information to be presented in 
a standardized way, making review of certificates a more consistent 
process across importing countries and species. Over the past years, 
many countries have changed their import requirements and now require 
country- and species-specific health certificates for the export of 
live animals from the United States. These health certificates vary 
widely in terms of information they contain, the requirements they 
cite, and the type of certificate that can be used. Most are two or 
more pages long, and all information must be reviewed and verified for 
each animal or shipment being exported. This has increased the level of 
effort needed to complete the work. It also means that the subject 
matter expertise needed to complete the work is much greater now than 
previously as a result of these growing complexities.
    Finally, as we also noted in the proposed rule, on which the August 
2023 final rule was based, the Office of Management and Budget circular 
A-25 requires user fees to be sufficient to recover the full cost to 
the Federal Government of providing the service. Calculations include 
imputed costs; these imputed costs are outside of APHIS' control. 
Imputed costs are the costs incurred by the U.S. Department of Labor, 
U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the U.S. Department of State 
(State Department), and the Department of Justice in order to provide 
retirement, health, life insurance, worker's compensation, judgment 
fund, and other related benefits to the Agency and employees who 
provide the services covered by the fees. These costs have gone up, 
and, as noted above, must be factored into the fee setting.

Fee Amount Calculations

    We have summarized the fee amount calculation formulas below. In 
addition to the formulas, we have provided three examples to 
demonstrate application of the formulas.
    Paragraph (a) of Sec.  130.2 of the revised regulations provides 
that, with limited exceptions, APHIS will calculate user fees as 
follows:
     APHIS will prorate the total inspection, certification, or 
laboratory service program personnel direct pay (on board and in hiring 
process including benefits) for the previous fiscal year to each fee 
based upon the direct time factor percentage of employee's average time 
to perform and complete each fee code process and then multiply by the 
next year's percentage of cost-of-living increase.
     APHIS will prorate total direct operating costs for the 
previous fiscal year based upon the direct time factor percentage of 
employee's average time to perform and complete each fee code process 
to each fee and then multiply by the anticipated percentage of 
inflation for the next year.
     APHIS will add estimates for Program, Agency, and 
Department support costs, imputed costs, and reserves by applying a 
percentage based on most recent information to the sum of the direct 
pay plus direct operating costs.
     APHIS will round calculated fees up to the next $0.25 for 
all fees less than $10 or round up to the nearest dollar for all fees 
greater than $10.
    Additional discussion on APHIS' calculations of the proposed 
adjusted fees in this notice is below:
    The prior year (2023) costs are obtained from the official 
financial systems of record. As part of our accounting procedures, we 
maintain separate accounting hierarchies to record costs that can be 
charged to each program (e.g., Import Export and Veterinary 
Diagnostics). Costs are those things on which an organization spends 
its budget, such as salaries and benefits for employees, rent, 
equipment, travel, and so on. We are required to capture the full cost 
of the services that we provide.
    As discussed in our August 1, 2023, final rule, Import Export and 
Veterinary Diagnostics projected program costs will include:
     Direct pay (including benefits). The wage labor costs (on 
board and in the hiring process), including benefits, for employees who 
specifically support and provide the required service.
     Direct operating costs. Costs attributed to travel and 
transportation for personnel; materials, supplies, and other necessary 
items; training; general office supplies; rent; facility maintenance; 
equipment purchase and maintenance; utilities; contractual services; 
and information system operations, maintenance, and development.
     Consumer price index. The measure of the average change 
over time in prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of 
consumer goods and services, as determined by the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics annually.
     Cost of living. The adjusted annual rate used to determine 
the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living based on the 
economic assumptions in the Office of Management and Budget's 
Presidential Economic Assumptions.
     Imputed costs. Office of Workers' Compensation costs from 
the Department of Labor; costs of employee leave earned in a prior 
fiscal year and used in the current fiscal year; Office of Personnel 
Management and Department of State (State Department) costs to provide 
retirement, health, and life insurance benefits to employees; 
unemployment compensation costs; and Department of Justice judgment 
fund costs.
     Program, Agency, and Department support. Indirect or 
direct costs of the program, including supporting services provided to 
the industry.
     Reserve. Funds above expected obligations that are 
required to effectively manage uncertainties in demand and timing to 
ensure sufficient operating funds in cases of bad debt, customer 
insolvency, fluctuations in activity volumes, information technology 
development costs, cash flow, facilities capital needs, or fluctuations 
in activity volumes caused by unforeseen global and national events.

Reserve

    As discussed in our October 3, 2022, proposed rule, and reiterated 
in the August 1, 2023, final rule, the reserve would be calculated each 
year based on the forecasted needs identified during the annual fee 
setting session by estimating 25 percent or 90 days of annual 
expenditures adding a prorated component of forecasted IT and 
facilities capital needs and investments, and offsetting that sum by 
the existing amount in the reserve.
    Therefore, we estimate the reserve component costs annually as 
follows:
    At the time each year that we calculate our proposed user fee 
rates, we estimate cash flow needs by estimating 25 percent or 90 days 
of annual expenditures, whichever is greater.
    We forecast information technology and facilities capital needs and 
investments, including any major purchases or improvement of equipment 
or systems, for the next 5 fiscal years,

[[Page 88699]]

and assign an estimated date by year at which we anticipate these costs 
to be actualized. Based on the expected time of cost actualization 
within that 5-year forecast, we will add a component of that cost to 
the above cash flow needs. Finally, this sum of expenses calculated 
will be offset by the existing amount in the reserve, and the 
difference to be collected is calculated for each user fee.
    Reserve levels will be set at a level meant to reflect the 
forecasted needs, as articulated above, but are monitored and adjusted 
annually as needs or costs change. We intend to closely monitor the 
operations and operating environment including demand, costs changes, 
administrative policies, investment needs, and the economic environment 
closely and propose adjustments, as needed, in our fees annually to 
ensure an adequate reserve balance to ensure cash flow and capital 
planning needs are met.
    Capital costs included in the reserve calculation are items such as 
facility design, development and maintenance costs, equipment, and 
other items as needed to ensure facilities and equipment are kept at 
acceptable standards for both Import Export and Veterinary Diagnostics. 
Plans are reviewed annually and forecasted for 5 years as costs are 
gathered for our annual update. Facilities, equipment, and other shared 
items that may house or support both user fee and non-user fee 
functions are shared proportionately. The cost model only includes 
those costs attributable to the user fee services. The total capital 
costs included in this update are $2,228,707.50 for Import Export and 
$1,350,000.00 for Veterinary Diagnostics to ensure funding is available 
as costs are actualized.
    Information technology costs included in the reserve calculation 
are also projected for the following 5 years and include items such as 
systems modernization, particularly for trade modernization systems, 
billing system replacement and other user fee related operational 
systems enhancements or maintenance. Technology costs that may support 
both user fee and non-user fee functions are shared proportionately 
based upon the most appropriate driver of the costs. The total 
information technology costs included in this update is $6,461,071.38 
for Import Export to ensure funding is available as costs are 
actualized. There are no planned information technology development or 
maintenance user fee expenses for Veterinary Diagnostics at this time.
    The reserve percentage to be applied to recover the costs derived 
is expressed as a percentage (total reserve target divided by the total 
of prior year expenses including vacancies plus cost of living and 
consumer price index costs). To allocate the identified reserve costs 
per service, a rate of 25.69 percent and 18.32 percent was derived for 
Import Export and Veterinary Diagnostics respectively.
    Then, to ensure full cost recovery, we identified and added an 
appropriate amount of imputed costs. These are costs borne by other 
Federal agencies (such as the U.S. Treasury and the Office of Personnel 
Management) in support of the user fee programs. We used percentage of 
full time equivalent as the basis to identify the portion of these 
costs to attribute to the Import Export and Veterinary Diagnostics 
programs.

General Formula

    The Veterinary Services User Fee cost model structure is developed 
in Microsoft Excel using cost allocation by direct time factors to each 
service provided. To determine the current costs for the general 
formula, of Import Export and Veterinary Diagnostic services, we first 
calculated the actual and projected costs of the current programs using 
the models. Tables A through D below set out examples of the 
calculations for certain fees. The costs for the general formula model 
are shown in table A.

                                 Table A--General Formula Model Projected Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Veterinary
                             Cost category                                 Import export         diagnostics
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fiscal Year 2023 Actual Costs by Category With Future Projected Costs by Program for General Fee Formula
                                         (rounded to two decimal points)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary and Benefits Prior Year (PY) 2023...............................     $28,624,842.48         $4,214,611.00
Operating Costs PY 2023................................................       6,476,340.71          2,525,556.00
Future projected costs:
Staffing and benefits full year........................................       5,183,454.49            604,664.81
Cost of Living adjustment (COLA) (5.2% multiplied by the sum of 2023          1,758,031.44            250,602.37
 salary and benefits and future salary and benefits)...................
Consumer price index (CPI) (3.7% multiplied by the sum of 2023                  239,624.61             93,445.58
 operating costs)......................................................
Reserve shared costs (estimated target to collect expressed as a             10,862,184.92          1,408,757.00
 percentage of prior year expenses, COLA and CPI is 25.69% and 18.32%
 for import export and veterinary diagnostics respectively)............
Imputed Costs (estimated target to collect expressed as a percentage of       3,427,788.13            580,751.96
 prior year expenses salary and benefits, future staffing and COLA is
 25.69% and 18.32% per activity for import export and veterinary
 diagnostics respectively).............................................
                                                                        ----------------------------------------
    Sub-total Expenses.................................................      56,572,266.78          9,678,388.72
Program, Agency, Department Support (19% of sub-total expenses)........      10,748,730.69          1,838,893.86
                                                                        ----------------------------------------
        Total Projected Program Costs..................................      67,320,997.47         11,517,282.58
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The differing proposed adjusted fees are the result of the average 
level of effort identified to complete each service, for which a user 
fee is assessed, referred to as the direct time factor in minutes. To 
determine the direct time factor in minutes for each service, we 
conducted labor surveys for each of the organizations providing the 
services. The level of effort is a good indicator of resources 
consumed. Two examples of the general formula are shown in table B.

[[Page 88700]]



                                    Table B--General Formula Fee Calculation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Step                           Import export                Veterinary diagnostics
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example: Service provided.....................  Slaughter Animals      Complement Fixation Test.\1\
                                                 (except poultry and
                                                 including ruminants)
                                                 moving to Canada Or
                                                 Mexico.
 1. Direct Time Factor per service (in          35.75................  9.50.
 minutes).
 2. Total Prior Year Volume for service.......  1,727.00.............  55,555.00.
 3. Annual Direct minutes for service (total    61,740.25............  527,768.00.
 prior year volume, step 2, multiplied by
 direct time factor per service step 1).
 4. Total Direct Time Factor minutes per        34,491,538.00........  2,143,306.00.
 program.
 5. Percent of Direct Labor Minutes (Annual     0.18%................  24.62%.
 Direct Minutes, step 3, for service divided
 by total direct time factor minutes, step 4).
 6. Total Direct Labor Costs (includes salary   $60,517.24...........  $1,186,698.48.
 and benefits and future staffing and
 benefits) for service (Percent of direct
 labor minutes, step 5, multiplied by total
 labor costs of salary and benefits PY 2023
 plus Future staffing and benefits (Import
 Export is $28,624,842,48 plus 5,183,454.49
 and Veterinary Diagnostics is 4,214,611 plus
 $604,664.81).
 7. Per share labor for service (total direct   $35.04...............  $21.36.
 labor costs step 7, divided by the prior year
 volume for the service, step 2).
 8. Cost of living adjustment (5.2% multiplied  $1.82................  $1.11.
 by the Per Share Labor for service, step 7).
 9. Total Direct Labor costs per service (step  $36.86...............  $22.47.
 7 plus step 8).
10. Total Direct Operating Costs (percent of    $11,592.72...........  $621,892.91.
 direct labor costs step 5 multiplied by total
 operating costs for Import Export of
 $6,476,340.71 and for Veterinary Diagnostics
 of $2,525,556.00).
11. Per share operating costs for service       $6.71................  $11.19.
 (total direct operating costs step 10 divided
 by prior year volume step 2).
12. Per Share consumer price index (CPI) for    $0.25................  $0.41.
 service (2023 CPI of 3.7% multiplied by the
 Per Share Operating Costs for service, step
 11).
13. Total Operating costs per service (Total    $6.96................  $11.61.
 operating costs per service, step 11 plus Per
 share CPI for service, step 12).
14. Sub-Total of total operating and labor      $43.83...............  $34.08.
 costs per service, step 9, plus step 13.
15. Reserve shared costs (25.69% and 18.32%     $11.26...............  $6.24.
 multiplied by the Sub-Total in step 14 for
 Import Export and Veterinary Diagnostics
 respectively).
16. Imputed shared costs (9.638% and 11.45%     $3.55................  $2.57.
 multiplied by the Sub-Total in step 9 for
 Import Export and Veterinary Diagnostics
 respectively).
17. Sub-Total of Direct Labor, Direct Op Costs  $58.64...............  $42.89.
 with imputed and reserve shared costs (step 9
 plus step 13 plus step 15 plus step 16).
18. Program, Agency & Departmental support      $11.14...............  $8.15.
 shared costs (19% of Sub-total of Direct
 Labor, Direct Op Costs with imputed and
 reserve shared costs step 17).
19. Total of Direct Labor, Operating Costs      $69.78...............  $51.04.
 with imputed, reserve and program, agency &
 department support shared costs (step 17 plus
 step 18).
20. New fee calculated is above $10 so it is    $70.00...............  $52.00.\2\
 rounded to the next whole dollar.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The complement fixation test (CFT) is a classical immunological assay used to detect the presence of
  specific antibodies or antigens in a serum.
\2\ The table is rounded to two decimal or percentage places.

Alternate Fee Structure

    Paragraph (b) of Sec.  130.2 provides an alternate fee structure in 
instances when there is no identifiable volume in the previous year, 
when the fee is rarely charged, or when APHIS cannot readily identify 
level of effort. In such instances, we will calculate the fee based on 
the last available historic data, including inflation, program, agency, 
department and support costs, imputed costs, and reserve.
    Examples of this calculation are the fee for the housing, care, 
feed, and handling of miniature horses while in import-related 
quarantine and for Latex Agglutination.
    There was no identifiable volume for the prior year and no 
identifiable level of effort upon which to base salary and benefits 
expenses for future years. As table C indicates below, we begin with 
the current fee. To that we add the intervening inflation of 36 percent 
representing inflation from 2012 to 2023 to arrive at a new base fee. 
To ensure full costs, imputed, reserve, and program, agency and 
department support costs are added as a percentage of the new base fee. 
The components are summed to arrive at a final fee. The final fee is 
then rounded to the next whole dollar if it is greater than $10. This 
is demonstrated in table C.

     Table C--Import Export and Veterinary Diagnostics Alternate Fee
                          Structure Calculation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Import export      Veterinary
                                      -------------------   diagnostics
         Service description                             ---------------
                                       Miniature horses/       Latex
                                            head/day       agglutination
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Fee..........................             $97.00          $18.00

[[Page 88701]]

 
Inflation 2012-2023 (36% of current                34.92            6.48
 fee)................................
New base fee (current fee plus                    131.92           24.48
 inflation adjustment)...............
Total Imputed costs shared per                     12.71            2.80
 service (9.64% & 11.45% percent
 multiplied by the new base fee
 respectively for Import Export and
 Veterinary Diagnostics).............
Reserve costs shared per service                   33.89            4.48
 (25.69% & 18.32% percent multiplied
 by the new base fee respectively for
 Import Export and Veterinary
 Diagnostics)........................
Program, Agency & Department support               25.06            4.65
 costs shared per service (19% of new
 base fee)...........................
Sub-Total new base fee plus imputed,              203.59           36.42
 plus reserve and plus program,
 agency & departmental costs shared
 per service.........................
New fee is above $10 so it is rounded             204.00           37.00
 to the next whole dollar............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Animal Import Center Space

    Paragraph (c) of Sec.  130.2 provides that APHIS will calculate 
fees for exclusive use of space in animal import centers, as follows:
     APHIS will calculate fees by using direct employee average 
time (with benefits) and adding a prorated portion of currently 
identifiable expenses (facilities, rent, support cost, and admin 
support costs), program, agency, department and support expenses, 
imputed costs, and reserve.
     APHIS will combine the costs to determine the monthly cost 
of providing the service at a single location within the animal import 
center.
     APHIS will calculate the costs of the other locations 
within the animal import center based on the square footage of the 
location.
    The typical staffing for barn services includes maintenance 
workers, facility supervisor, animal health technicians (AHT), 
supervisory AHT, and Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO). Time surveys 
and follow up discussions quantified level of effort providing services 
at the barn from which direct labor costs were calculated. 
Administrative personnel costs supporting all animal import center 
services (such as Veterinarian in charge, administrative office, 
program assistant and other AHT) were allocated to the barn costs based 
upon the percentage full time equivalent for the animal import center. 
The administrative personnel provide oversight and support to the 
animal import center including the barn needs. Operating costs required 
for barn operation and support were analyzed over a 2-year period of 
time to ensure all costs were gathered as some costs may be biennial. 
Costs such as rent, utilities, travel, equipment, and supplies or other 
such costs which may support both user fee and non-user fee functions 
are shared proportionately by percentage of full time equivalent or 
square footage as appropriate. The cost model barn rate calculation 
only includes those costs attributable to the user fee services 
provided. Reserve, imputed, and program, agency and departmental shared 
costs were added to the base.
    Once all monthly costs are derived for Newburg (barn A), they are 
further broken down to cost per square foot for the square footage of 
barn A. This cost per square foot of barn A is then applied to the 
appropriate square footage of barns B and C to arrive at their monthly 
fee. An example of Newburg Barn A costs is shown in table D below.

                      Table D--Newburg Barn A Rates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Barn A rates per
                 Service description                         month
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct labor costs...................................         $30,032.23
Operating costs......................................          33,792.31
Total Direct Costs...................................          63,824.54
Total Imputed costs shared per activity (9.637% of              2,894.21
 direct labor costs).................................
Total Reserve cost shared (25.69% percent of total             16,396.52
 direct costs).......................................
Total Program, Agency & Department support costs               12,126.66
 shared (19% of total direct costs)..................
Allocated Administrative support costs...............           9,126.72
Total Monthly costs for Barn A, Newburg (total direct         104,368.67
 costs plus imputed, plus reserve, plus program,
 agency and department and plus allocated
 administrative costs)...............................
New fee calculated is above 10 so it is rounded to            104,369.00
 the next whole dollar...............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hourly Rate and Minimum User Fees (Import Export)

    Finally, paragraph (d) of Sec.  130.2 indicates that APHIS will 
charge an hourly rate-based user fee for services listed in Sec.  130.4 
of the revised regulations. Examples of services charged the hourly 
rate include obtaining samples required to be tested, either to obtain 
import permits or to ensure compliance with import permits, and 
inspecting means of conveyance used to export animals or birds.
    As noted above, APHIS charges an hourly rate-based user fee for 
certain import- or export-related veterinary services. These services 
are currently listed in Sec.  130.4(a)(1) through (18) of the 
regulations, except those services covered by flat rate user fees 
elsewhere in part 130. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees 
were set forth in Sec.  130.30 of the regulations. Tables 1 through 25 
below set out the current and proposed adjusted fees for hourly rates 
and services provided. The current hourly fee as of October 1, 2012, 
and proposed hourly fee rates are listed in table 1 below.

[[Page 88702]]



        Table 1--Hourly Rate and Minimum User Fees Import Export
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Proposed
               Hourly rate                    Current      adjusted fees
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per hour................................         $132.00         $166.00
Per quarter hour........................           33.00           42.00
Per service minimum fee.................           40.00           51.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overtime Hourly Rate

    Paragraph (b) of Sec.  130.4 currently provides there is an 
additional amount charged hourly to perform the services listed in the 
section on a Sunday, on a holiday, or at any time outside the normal 
tour of duty for the employee providing the service. Prior to the 
August 2023 final rule, this overtime hourly rate had been set forth in 
Sec.  130.30 of the regulations. The current hourly fee as of October 
1, 2012, and proposed overtime hourly rates are listed in table 2 
below.

                      Table 2--Overtime Hourly Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Overtime rates (outside the employee's
          normal tour of duty)                Current      Proposed fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Premium hourly rate Monday through Saturday and holidays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per hour................................         $156.00         $196.00
Per quarter hour........................           39.00           49.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Premium hourly rate for Sundays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per hour................................          176.00          221.00
Per quarter hour........................           44.00           56.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees

    APHIS charges user fees for services rendered by an APHIS 
representative for each animal or bird receiving standard housing, 
care, feed, and handling while quarantined in an APHIS-owned or 
operated animal import center or quarantine facility. Prior to the 
August 2023 final rule, these fees were set forth in Sec.  130.2 of the 
regulations. The current fee as of October 1, 2012, and proposed fee 
rates are listed in table 3 below. Each user fee listed in the table is 
assessed per animal or bird quarantined by APHIS.

                 Table 3--Animal or Bird Daily User Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Proposed
             Animal or bird                 Current fee    adjusted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Birds (excluding ratites and pet birds imported in accordance with part
                         93 of this subchapter)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-250 grams.............................           $3.00           $5.00
251-1,000 grams.........................            9.25           10.00
Over 1,000 grams........................           21.00           30.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Domestic or zoo animals (except equines, birds, and poultry)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bison, bulls, camels, cattle, or zoo              162.00          341.00
 animals................................
All others, including, but not limited             43.00           69.00
 to, alpacas, llamas, goats, sheep, and
 swine..................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Equines (including zoo equines, but excluding miniature horses)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st through 3rd day (fee per day).......          429.00          586.00
4th through 7th day (fee per day).......          310.00          196.00
8th and subsequent days (fee per day)...          264.00          196.00
Miniature horses........................           97.00          204.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Poultry (including zoo poultry)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doves, pigeons, quail...................            5.75            9.25
Chickens, ducks, grouse, guinea fowl,              10.00           16.00
 partridge, pea fowl, pheasants.........
Large poultry and large waterfowl,                 24.00           51.00
 including, but not limited to,
 gamecocks, geese, swans, and turkeys...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Ratites
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicks (less than 3 months old).........           15.00           32.00
Juveniles (3 months through 10 months              22.00           47.00
 old)...................................
Adults (11 months old or older).........           43.00           91.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 88703]]

    APHIS also charges user fees for birds or poultry, including zoo 
birds or poultry, receiving nonstandard housing, care, or handling to 
meet special requirements while quarantined in an APHIS-owned or 
operated Animal Import Center or quarantine facility. Prior to the 
August 2023 final rule, these fees were also set forth in Sec.  130.2 
of the regulations. The current fee as of October 1, 2012, and proposed 
adjusted fees are listed in table 4 below. The user fees listed in 
table 4 are assessed for each bird or poultry quarantined by APHIS. 
Special requirements may be requested by the importer or required by an 
APHIS representative. Certain conditions or traits, such as pregnancy 
or aggression, may necessitate special requirements for certain birds 
or poultry.

 Table 4--Bird or Poultry (Nonstandard Housing, Care, or Handling) Daily
                                User Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Proposed
               Bird weight                  Current fee    adjusted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birds 0-250 grams and doves, pigeons and           $9.25          $14.00
 quail..................................
Birds 251-1,000 grams and poultry such             21.00           28.00
 as chickens, ducks, grouse, guinea
 fowl, partridge, pea fowl, and
 pheasants..............................
Birds over 1,000 grams and large poultry           40.00           51.00
 and large waterfowl, including, but not
 limited to gamecocks, geese, swans, and
 turkeys................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees for Exclusive Use of Space at APHIS Animal Import Centers

    An importer may request to exclusively occupy a space at an APHIS 
animal import center. If this occurs, APHIS charges for the use of the 
space. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were set forth 
in Sec.  130.3 of the regulations. The current fee as of October 1, 
2012, and proposed user fee for spaces at APHIS animal import centers 
are listed in table 5 below.

             Table 5--Animal Import Center Monthly User Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Proposed
            Newburgh, NY \1\                Current fee    adjusted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Space A 5,396 ft\2\ (503.1 m\2\)........      $94,249.00     $104,369.00
Space B 8,903 ft\2\ (827.1 m\2\)........      155,504.00      172,201.00
Space C 905 ft\2\ (84.1 m\2\)...........       15,807.00       17,504.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Square foot (f\2\); square meter (m\2\).

User Fees for Processing Import Permit Applications

    APHIS charges user fees for any service rendered by an APHIS 
representative for processing applications for permits to import 
certain animals and animal products (using VS forms 16-3 and 17-129). 
Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were set forth in Sec.  
130.4 of the regulations. The current fees as of October 1, 2012, and 
proposed adjusted fees are listed in table 6 below.

                          Table 6--User Fees for Processing Import Permit Applications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                    Service                                   Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Import compliance assistance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simple (4 hours or less)......................  Per shipment....................         $111.00         $249.00
Complicated (more than 4 hours)...............  Per shipment....................          565.00          762.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Processing an application for a permit to import live animals, animal products or by products, organisms,
               vectors, or germ plasm (embryos or semen) or to transport organisms or vectors \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial permit................................  Per application.................          150.00          303.00
Amended permit................................  Per amended application.........           75.00          176.00
Renewed permit \2\............................  Per application.................           97.00          176.00
Processing an application for a permit to       Per application.................          512.00        1,075.00
 import fetal bovine serum when facility
 inspection is required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Using Veterinary Services Form 16-3, ``Application for Permit to Import or Transport Controlled Material or
  Organisms or Vectors,'' or Veterinary Services Form 17-129, ``Application for Import or In Transit Permit
  (Animals, Animal Semen, Animal Embryos, Birds, Poultry, or Hatching Eggs).''
\2\ Permits to import germ plasm and live animals are not renewable.

User Fees for Inspection of Live Animals at Land Border Ports Along the 
United States-Mexico Border

    APHIS charges user fees for any service rendered by an APHIS 
representative for live animals presented for importation into or entry 
into the United States through a land border port along the United 
States-Mexico border. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees 
were set forth in Sec.  130.6 of the regulations. The current fees as 
of October 1, 2012, and proposed adjusted fees are listed in table 7 
below.

[[Page 88704]]



 Table 7--User Fees for Inspection of Live Animals at Land Border Ports
                  Along the United States-Mexico Border
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Proposed
           Type of live animal              Current per    adjusted per
                                           head user fee   head user fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any ruminants (including breeder                  $14.00          $11.00
 ruminants) not covered below...........
Feeder..................................            4.00            8.25
Horses, other than slaughter............           70.00          288.00
In-bond or in-transit...................            9.25           20.00
Slaughter...............................            6.00           13.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees for Import or Entry Services for Live Animals at Land Border 
Ports Along the United States-Canada Border

    APHIS charges user fees for any service rendered by an APHIS 
representative for live animals presented for importation into or entry 
into the United States through a land border port along the United 
States-Canada border. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees 
were set forth in Sec.  130.7 of the regulations. The current fees as 
of October 1, 2012, and proposed adjusted fees are listed in table 8 
below.

 Table 8--User Fees for Import or Entry Services for Live Animals at Land Border Ports Along the United States-
                                                  Canada Border
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
              Type of live animal                             Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Animals being imported into the United States: Breeding animals (Grade animals, except horses)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheep and goats...............................  Per head........................           $1.00           $2.25
Swine.........................................  Per head........................            1.25            2.00
All others....................................  Per head........................            5.25           17.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Feeder animals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cattle (not including calves).................  Per head........................            2.50            2.75
Sheep and calves..............................  Per head........................            1.00            2.25
Swine.........................................  Per head........................            0.50            0.50
Horses (including registered horses) other      Per head........................           46.00           49.00
 than slaughter and in-transit.
Poultry (including eggs), imported for any      Per load........................           80.00           88.00
 purpose.
Registered animals, all types (except horses).  Per head........................            9.75           11.00
Slaughter animals, all types (except poultry).  Per load........................           40.00           79.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Animals transiting \1\ the United States
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cattle........................................  Per head........................            2.50           11.00
Sheep and goats...............................  Per head........................            0.50            1.25
Swine.........................................  Per head........................            0.50            1.75
Horses and all other animals..................  Per head........................           11.00          118.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The user fee in this section will be charged for in-transit authorizations at the port where the
  authorization services are performed.

User Fees for Other Services

    APHIS charges user fees for services rendered by an APHIS 
representative for certain other services that are not specifically 
addressed elsewhere in the regulations. Prior to the August 2023 final 
rule, these fees were set forth in Sec.  130.8 of the regulations. The 
current user fees as of October 1, 2012, and proposed adjusted fees are 
listed in in table 9 below.

                                      Table 9--User Fees for Other Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                    Service                                   Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Germ plasm being exported, Embryo \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 5 donor pairs...........................  Per certificate.................         $132.00         $163.00
Each additional group of donor pairs, up to 5   Per group of donor pairs........           59.00          100.00
 pairs per group on the same certificate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Germ plasm being exported, Semen \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semen.........................................  Per certificate.................           81.00          171.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 88705]]

 
                                      Release from export agricultural hold
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simple (2 hours or less)......................  Per release.....................          111.00          118.00
Complicated (more than 2 hours)...............  Per release.....................          286.00          601.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This user fee includes a single inspection and resealing of the container at the APHIS employee's regular
  tour of duty station or at a limited port. For each subsequent inspection and resealing required, the hourly
  user fee in Sec.   130.4 will apply.

User Fees for Pet Birds

    APHIS charges user fees for pet birds of U.S. origin returning to 
the United States, except pet birds of U.S. origin returning from 
Canada to home quarantine. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these 
fees were set forth in Sec.  130.10 of the regulations. The current 
fees as of October 1, 2012, and proposed adjusted fees are listed in 
table 10 below.

                    Table 10--User Fees for Pet Birds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Current per      Proposed
                 Service                      lot fee      adjusted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pet birds which have been out of the             $172.00         $362.00
 United States 60 days or less..........
Pet birds which have been out of the              409.00          938.00
 United States more than 60 days........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pet Birds Quarantined in an Animal Import Center or Other APHIS-Owned 
or Supervised Quarantine Facility (Fee Includes Standard Care, Feed, 
and Handling)

    APHIS charges user fees for each pet bird quarantined in an animal 
import center or other APHIS-owned or supervised quarantine facility. 
The current user fees as of October 1, 2012, and proposed adjusted fees 
are listed in table 11 below. These user fees include standard care, 
feed, and handling. Based on the information provided to APHIS 
personnel, APHIS personnel at the Animal Import Center or other APHIS-
owned or -supervised quarantine facility will determine the appropriate 
number of birds that should be housed per isolette. Additionally, if 
the importer requests additional services, then the user fees for those 
services will be calculated at the hourly rate user fee listed pursuant 
to Sec.  130.4, for each employee required to perform the service.

   Table 11--Pet Birds Quarantined in an Animal Import Center or Other
              APHIS-Owned or Supervised Quarantine Facility
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Proposed
       Number of birds in isolette          Current fee    adjusted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................          $15.00          $22.00
2.......................................           18.00           24.00
3.......................................           21.00           26.00
4.......................................           24.00           30.00
5 or more...............................           29.00           32.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees for Inspecting and Approving Import/Export Facilities and 
Establishments

    APHIS charges user fees for the inspection of various import and 
export facilities and establishments. Prior to the August 2023 final 
rule, these fees were set forth in Sec.  130.11 of the regulations. The 
current user fees as of October 1, 2012, and proposed adjusted fees are 
listed in table 12 below. These user fees do not apply to inspection 
activities covered in Sec.  130.3. They also do not apply to 
biosecurity level two laboratories, which are charged the hourly rate, 
in Sec.  130.4.

          Table 12--User Fees for Inspecting and Approving Import/Export Facilities and Establishments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                    Service                                   Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Embryo collection center inspection and         Per year........................         $604.00          767.00
 approval (all inspections required during the
 year for facility approval).
Inspection for approval of biosecurity level    Per inspection..................        1,554.00         3262.00
 three labs (all inspections related to
 approving the laboratory for handling one
 defined set of organisms or vectors).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Inspection for approval of slaughter establishment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial approval (all inspections)............  Per year........................          593.00          938.00
Renewal (all inspections).....................  Per year........................          514.00          703.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 88706]]

 
        Inspection of approved establishments, warehouses, and facilities under 9 CFR parts 94 through 96
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approval (compliance agreement) (all            Per year........................          633.00          747.00
 inspections for first year of 3-year
 approval).
Renewal (all inspections for second and third   Per year........................          366.00          513.00
 years of 3-year approval).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees for Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory (FADDL) 
Veterinary Diagnostics

    APHIS charges user fees for diagnostic reagents provided by FADDL. 
Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were set forth in Sec.  
130.14 of the regulations. The current fees as of October 1, 2006, and 
proposed adjusted fees are listed in table 13 below.

      Table 13--User Fees for Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory (FADDL) Veterinary Diagnostics
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                    Reagent                                   Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bovine antiserum, any agent...................  1 mL............................         $165.00         $334.00
Caprine antiserum, any agent..................  1 mL............................          202.00          409.00
Cell culture antigen/microorganism............  1 mL............................          111.00          225.00
Equine antiserum, any agent...................  1 mL............................          204.00          413.00
Fluorescent antibody conjugate................  1 mL............................          179.00          363.00
Guinea pig antiserum, any agent...............  1 mL............................          200.00          405.00
Monoclonal antibody...........................  1 mL............................          243.00          492.00
Ovine antiserum, any agent....................  1 mL............................          193.00          391.00
Porcine antiserum, any agent..................  1 mL............................          167.00          338.00
Rabbit antiserum, any agent...................  1 mL............................          196.00          397.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    APHIS charges user fees for veterinary diagnostic tests performed 
at FADDL. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were set 
forth in paragraph (b) of Sec.  130.14. The current fees as of October 
1, 2006, and proposed adjusted fees are listed in table 14 below.

                 Table 14--User Fees for Certain Veterinary Diagnostic Tests Performed at FADDL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                     Test                                     Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agar gel immunodiffusion......................  Test............................          $33.00           67.00
Card..........................................  Test............................           18.00           37.00
Complement fixation...........................  Test............................           40.00           81.00
Direct immunofluorescent antibody.............  Test............................           25.00           51.00
Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.............  Test............................           29.00           60.00
Fluorescent antibody neutralization (classical  Test............................          215.00          436.00
 swine fever).
Hemagglutination inhibition...................  Test............................           63.00          128.00
Immunoperoxidase..............................  Test............................           32.00           65.00
Indirect fluorescent antibody.................  Test............................           39.00           79.00
In-vitro safety...............................  Test............................          630.00          618.00
In-vivo safety................................  Test............................        5,509.00       11,147.00
Latex agglutination...........................  Test............................           26.00           53.00
Tube agglutination............................  Test............................           30.00           61.00
Virus isolation (oesophageal/pharyngeal)......  Test............................          199.00          403.00
Virus isolation in embryonated eggs...........  Test............................          383.00          775.00
Virus isolation, other........................  Test............................          171.00          178.00
Virus neutralization..........................  Test............................           58.00          118.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    APHIS charges user fees for other veterinary diagnostic tests 
performed at FADDL. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees 
were set forth in paragraph (c) of Sec.  130.14. The current fees as of 
October 1, 2006, and proposed adjusted fees are listed in table 15 
below.

                 Table 15--User Fees for Other Veterinary Diagnostic Services Performed at FADDL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
         Veterinary diagnostic service                        Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bacterial isolation...........................  Test............................         $123.00         $249.00

[[Page 88707]]

 
Hourly user fee services \1\..................  Hour............................          492.00          996.00
Hourly user fee services--Quarter hour........  Quarter hour....................          123.00          249.00
Infected cells on chamber slides or plates....  Slide...........................           53.00          108.00
Reference animal tissues for                    Set.............................          187.00          379.00
 immunohistochemistry.
Sterilization by gamma radiation..............  Can.............................        1,923.00        3,891.00
Training (school or technical assistance).....  Per person per day..............        1,006.00         2036.00
Virus titration...............................  Test............................          123.00          249.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For all veterinary diagnostic services for which there is no flat rate user fee, the hourly rate user fee
  will be calculated for the actual time required to provide the service.

User Fees for Veterinary Diagnostic Isolation and Identification Tests 
Performed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) 
(Excluding FADDL) or Other Authorized Site

    APHIS charges user fees for veterinary diagnostic isolation and 
identification tests performed at NVSL (excluding FADDL) or other 
authorized sites. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were 
set forth in Sec.  130.15 of the regulations. The current fees as of 
October 1, 2011, and proposed fee rates are listed in table 16 below.

  Table 16--User Fees for Veterinary Diagnostic Isolation and Identification Tests Performed at NVSL (Excluding
                                         FADDL) or Other Authorized Site
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                     Test                                     Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bacterial identification, automated...........  Isolate.........................          $58.00         $124.00
Bacterial identification, non-automated.......  Isolate.........................           98.00          199.00
Bacterial isolation...........................  Sample..........................           40.00           81.00
Bacterial serotyping, all other...............  Isolate.........................           58.00          118.00
Bacterial serotyping, Pasteurella multocida...  Isolate.........................           20.00           42.00
Bacterial serotyping, Salmonella..............  Isolate.........................           40.00           97.00
Bacterial toxin typing........................  Isolate.........................          131.00          404.00
Bacteriology requiring special                  Test............................          101.00          215.00
 characterization.
DNA fingerprinting............................  Test............................           64.00          430.00
DNA probe.....................................  Test............................           89.00          181.00
Fluorescent antibody..........................  Test............................           20.00           42.00
Mycobacterium identification (biochemical)....  Isolate.........................          125.00          253.00
Mycobacterium identification (gas               Procedure.......................          105.00          213.00
 chromatography).
Mycobacterium isolation, animal inoculations..  Submission......................          900.00        1,822.00
Mycobacterium isolation, all other............  Submission......................          165.00          334.00
Mycobacterium paratuberculosis isolation......  Submission......................           79.00          160.00
Phage typing, all other.......................  Isolate.........................           46.00           94.00
Phage typing, Salmonella enteritidis..........  Isolate.........................           26.00           53.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    APHIS charges user fees for virology identification tests performed 
at NVSL (excluding FADDL) or other authorized sites. Prior to the 
August 2023 final rule, these fees were also set forth in Sec.  130.15 
of the regulations. The current fees as of October 1, 2011, and 
proposed fee rates are listed in table 17 below.

  Table 17--User Fees for Virology Identification Tests Performed at NVSL (Excluding FADDL) or Other Authorized
                                                      Site
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                     Test                                     Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fluorescent antibody tissue section...........  Test............................          $31.00          $63.00
Virus isolation...............................  Test............................           52.00          108.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees for Veterinary Diagnostic Serology Tests Performed at NVSL or 
at Authorized Sites

    APHIS charges user fees for veterinary diagnostic serology tests 
performed at NVSL or at authorized sites. Prior to the August 2023 
final rule, these fees were set forth in Sec.  130.16 of the 
regulations. The current fees as of October 1, 2011, and proposed fee 
rates are listed in table 18 below.

[[Page 88708]]



      Table 18--User Fees for Veterinary Diagnostic Serology Tests Performed at NVSL or at Authorized Sites
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                     Test                                     Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brucella ring (BRT)...........................  Test............................          $40.00          $84.00
Brucella ring, heat inactivated (HIRT)........  Test............................           40.00           81.00
Brucella ring, serial (Serial BRT)............  Test............................           59.00          120.00
Buffered acidified plate antigen presumptive..  Test............................            8.00           17.00
Card..........................................  Test............................            4.50            8.75
Complement fixation...........................  Test............................           18.00           52.00
Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.............  Test............................           18.00           49.00
Indirect fluorescent antibody.................  Test............................           16.00           52.00
Microscopic agglutination--includes up to 5     Sample..........................           26.00           60.00
 serovars.
Microscopic agglutination--each serovar in      Sample..........................            4.75            9.75
 excess of 5 serovars.
Particle concentration fluorescent immunoassay  Test............................           39.00           79.00
 (PCFIA).
Plate.........................................  Test............................            7.75           17.00
Rapid automated presumptive...................  Test............................            7.25           15.00
Rivanol.......................................  Test............................            7.75           16.00
Tube agglutination............................  Test............................            7.75           17.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    APHIS charges user fees for virology serology tests performed at 
NVSL (excluding FADDL) or at authorized sites. Prior to the August 2023 
final rule, these fees were also set forth in Sec.  130.16 of the 
regulations. The current fees as of October 1, 2011, and proposed fee 
rates are listed in table 19 below.

   Table 19--User Fees for Virology Serology Tests Performed at NVSL (Excluding FADDL) or at Authorized Sites
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                     Test                                     Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agar gel immunodiffusion......................  Test............................          $18.00          $33.00
Complement fixation...........................  Test............................           18.00           52.00
Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.............  Test............................           18.00           49.00
Hemagglutination inhibition...................  Test............................           16.00           52.00
Indirect fluorescent antibody.................  Test............................           16.00           52.00
Latex agglutination...........................  Test............................           18.00           37.00
Peroxidase linked antibody....................  Test............................           17.00           35.00
Plaque reduction neutralization...............  Test............................           19.00           54.00
Rabies fluorescent antibody neutralization....  Test............................           50.00          102.00
Virus neutralization..........................  Test............................           14.00           52.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees for Other Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Tests Performed at 
NVSL or at Authorized Sites

    APHIS charges user fees for veterinary diagnostics tests performed 
at the Pathobiology Laboratory at NVSL (excluding FADDL) or at 
authorized sites. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were 
set forth in Sec.  130.17 of the regulations. The current fees as of 
October 1, 2011, and proposed fee rates are listed in table 20 below.

Table 20--User Fees for Veterinary Diagnostics Tests Performed at the Pathobiology Laboratory at NVSL (Excluding
                                          FADDL) or at Authorized Sites
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                     Test                                     Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aflatoxin quantitation........................  Test............................          $33.00          $67.00
Aflatoxin screen..............................  Test............................           31.00           63.00
Agar gel immunodiffusion spp. identification..  Test............................           14.00           29.00
Antibiotic (bioautography) quantitation.......  Test............................           72.00          146.00
Antibiotic (bioautography) screen.............  Test............................          130.00          264.00
Antibiotic inhibition.........................  Test............................           72.00          146.00
Arsenic.......................................  Test............................           19.00           39.00
Ergot alkaloid screen.........................  Test............................           72.00          146.00
Ergot alkaloid confirmation...................  Test............................           94.00          191.00
Feed microscopy...............................  Test............................           72.00          146.00
Fumonisin only................................  Test............................           40.00           81.00
Gossypol......................................  Test............................          107.00          217.00
Mercury.......................................  Test............................          158.00          320.00
Metals screen.................................  Test............................           48.00           98.00
Metals single element confirmation............  Test............................           14.00           29.00
Mycotoxin: aflatoxin-liver....................  Test............................          130.00          264.00

[[Page 88709]]

 
Mycotoxin screen..............................  Test............................           52.00          106.00
Nitrate/nitrite...............................  Test............................           72.00          146.00
Organic compound confirmation.................  Test............................           96.00          195.00
Organic compound screen.......................  Test............................          165.00          334.00
Parasitology..................................  Test............................           31.00           60.00
Pesticide quantitation........................  Test............................          144.00          292.00
Pesticide screen..............................  Test............................           66.00          134.00
pH............................................  Test............................           29.00           59.00
Plate cylinder................................  Test............................          107.00          217.00
Selenium......................................  Test............................           48.00           98.00
Silicate/carbonate disinfectant...............  Test............................           72.00          146.00
Temperature disks.............................  Test............................          142.00          288.00
Toxicant quantitation, other..................  Test............................          120.00          243.00
Toxicant screen, other........................  Test............................           36.00           73.00
Vomitoxin only................................  Test............................           58.00          118.00
Water activity................................  Test............................           36.00           73.00
Zearaleone quantitation.......................  Test............................           58.00          118.00
Zearaleone screen.............................  Test............................           31.00           63.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees for Veterinary Diagnostic Reagents Produced at NVSL or Other 
Authorized Sites

    APHIS charges user fees for bacteriology reagents produced by the 
Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory at NVSL (excluding FADDL) or other 
authorized sites. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were 
set forth in Sec.  130.18 of the regulations. The current fees as of 
October 1, 2011, and proposed fee rates are listed in table 21 below.

        Table 21--User Fees for Veterinary Diagnostic Reagents Produced at NVSL or Other Authorized Sites
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                    Reagent                                   Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anaplasma card test antigen...................  2 mL............................         $103.00         $209.00
Anaplasma card test kit without antigen.......  Kit.............................          139.00          282.00
Anaplasma CF antigen..........................  2 mL............................           47.00           96.00
Anaplasma stabilate...........................  4.5 mL..........................          188.00          404.00
Avian origin bacterial antiserums.............  1 mL............................           52.00          215.00
Bacterial agglutinating antigens other than     5 mL............................           59.00          140.00
 brucella and salmonella pullorum.
Bacterial conjugates..........................  1 mL............................          105.00          108.00
Bacterial ELISA antigens......................  1 mL............................           32.00           65.00
Bacterial or protozoal antiserums, all other..  1 mL............................           66.00          146.00
Bacterial reagent culture \1\.................  Culture.........................           79.00          242.00
Bacterial reference culture \2\...............  Culture.........................          249.00          645.00
Bacteriophage reference culture...............  Culture.........................          188.00          381.00
Bovine serum factor...........................  1 mL............................           19.00           39.00
Brucella abortus CF antigen...................  60 mL...........................          165.00          350.00
Brucella agglutination antigens, all other....  60 mL...........................          165.00          334.00
Brucella buffered plate antigen...............  60 mL...........................          188.00          404.00
Brucella canis tube antigen...................  25 mL...........................          124.00          264.00
Brucella card test antigen (packaged).........  Package.........................           98.00          199.00
Brucella card test kit without antigen........  Kit.............................          119.00         $248.00
Brucella cells................................  Gram............................           20.00           41.00
Brucella cells, dried.........................  Pellet..........................            6.25           13.00
Brucella ring test antigen....................  60 mL...........................          263.00          527.00
Brucella rivanol solution.....................  60 mL...........................           32.00           65.00
Dourine CF antigen............................  1 mL............................           97.00          597.00
Dourine stabilate.............................  4.5 mL..........................          116.00          235.00
Equine and bovine origin babesia species        1 mL............................          139.00          334.00
 antiserums.
Equine negative control CF antigen............  1 mL............................          293.00          593.00
Flazo-orange..................................  3 mL............................           14.00           29.00
Glanders CF antigen...........................  1 mL............................           84.00          170.00
Hemoparasitic disease CF antigens, all other..  1 mL............................          590.00        1,194.00
Leptospira transport medium...................  10 mL...........................            4.75            9.75
Monoclonal antibody...........................  1 mL............................          103.00          209.00
Mycobacterium spp. old tuberculin.............  1 mL............................           26.00           53.00
Mycobacterium spp. PPD........................  1 mL............................           20.00           41.00
Mycoplasma hemagglutination antigens..........  5 mL............................          197.00          430.00
Negative control serums.......................  1 mL............................           20.00           43.00

[[Page 88710]]

 
Rabbit origin bacterial antiserum.............  1 mL............................           56.00          114.00
Salmonella pullorum microagglutination antigen  5 mL............................           17.00           35.00
Stabilates, all other.........................  4.5 mL..........................          730.00        1,478.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A reagent culture is a bacterial culture that has been subcultured one or more times after being tested for
  purity and identity. It is intended for use as a reagent with a diagnostic test such as the leptospiral
  agglutination test.
\2\ A reference culture is a bacterial culture that has been thoroughly tested for purity and identity. It
  should be suitable as a master seed for future cultures.

    APHIS charges user fees for virology reagents produced by the 
Diagnostic Virology Laboratory at NVSL (excluding FADDL) or at 
authorized sites. Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were 
set forth in Sec.  130.18 of the regulations. The current user fees as 
of October 1, 2011, and proposed fee rates are listed in table 22 
below.

                                    Table 22--User Fees for Virology Reagents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                    Reagent                                   Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antigen, except avian influenza and chlamydia   2 mL............................          $67.00         $140.00
 psittaci antigens, any.
Avian antiserum except avian influenza          2 mL............................           53.00          135.00
 antiserum, any.
Avian influenza antigen, any..................  2 mL............................           36.00           76.00
Avian influenza antiserum, any................  6 mL............................          113.00          242.00
Bovine or ovine serum, any....................  2 mL............................          139.00          280.00
Cell culture..................................  Flask...........................          165.00          683.00
Chlamydia psittaci spp. of origin monoclonal    Panel...........................          101.00          205.00
 antibody panel.
Conjugate, any................................  1 ml............................           80.00          167.00
Diluted positive control serum, any...........  2 mL............................           27.00           57.00
Equine antiserum, any.........................  2 mL............................           49.00          103.00
Monoclonal antibody...........................  1 mL............................          110.00          242.00
Other spp. antiserum, any.....................  1 mL............................           53.00          108.00
Porcine antiserum, any........................  2 mL............................          115.00          242.00
Porcine tissue sets...........................  Tissue set......................          161.00          326.00
Positive control tissues, all.................  2 cm\2\ section.................           66.00          134.00
Rabbit origin antiserum.......................  1 mL............................           56.00          114.00
Reference virus, any..........................  0.6 mL..........................          197.00          645.00
Viruses (except reference viruses), chlamydia   0.6 mL..........................           33.00           70.00
 psittaci agent or chlamydia psittaci antigen,
 any.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Fees for Other Veterinary Diagnostic Services or Materials 
Provided at NVSL (Excluding FADDL)

    APHIS charges user fees for other veterinary diagnostic services or 
materials available from NVSL (excluding FADDL). Prior to the August 
2023 final rule, these fees were set forth in Sec.  130.19 of the 
regulations. The current fees as of October 1, 2011, and proposed fee 
rates are listed in table 23 below.

  Table 23--User Fees for Other Veterinary Diagnostic Services or Materials Provided at NVSL (Excluding FADDL)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Proposed
                    Service                                   Unit                  Current fee    adjusted fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antimicrobial susceptibility test.............  Isolate.........................         $114.00         $242.00
Avian safety test.............................  Test............................        4,180.00        8,636.00
Check tests, culture..........................  Kit \1\.........................          189.00          774.00
Check tests, serology.........................  Kit \1\.........................          394.00          774.00
Fetal bovine serum safety test................  Verification....................        1,160.00        2,419.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Hourly user fees \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hour..........................................  Hour............................          112.00          143.00
Quarter hour..................................  Quarter Hour....................           28.00           36.00
Minimum.......................................  ................................           33.00           43.00
Manual, brucellosis culture...................  1 copy..........................          125.00          253.00
Manual, tuberculosis Culture (English or        1 copy..........................          188.00          381.00
 Spanish).
Manual, Veterinary mycology...................  1 copy..........................          188.00          381.00
Manuals or standard operating procedure (SOP),  1 copy..........................           37.00           75.00
 all other.
Manuals or SOP, per page......................  1 page..........................            2.75            5.75

[[Page 88711]]

 
Training (school or technical assistance).....  Per person per day..............          362.00          753.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Any reagents required for the check test will be charged separately.
\2\ For veterinary diagnostic services for which there is no flat user fee the Hourly rate user fee will be
  calculated for the actual time required to provide the service.

User Fees for Endorsing Export Certificates

    APHIS charges user fees for the services provided for the review 
and endorsement of export documents or health certificates that do not 
require the verification of tests or vaccinations (other than rabies 
vaccination). Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were set 
forth in Sec.  130.20 of the regulations. The current fees as of 
October 1, 2012, and proposed fee rates are listed in table 24 below. 
The user fees apply to each export document or health certificate 
endorsed for the following types of animals, birds, or animal products, 
regardless of the number of animals, birds, or animal products covered 
by the certificate.

      Table 24--User Fees for Endorsing Export Health Certificates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Proposed
         Certificate categories             Current fee    adjusted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Animal and nonanimal products...........          $51.00         $101.00
Hatching eggs...........................           48.00          113.00
Poultry, including slaughter poultry....           48.00          113.00
Ruminants, except slaughter ruminants              52.00           67.00
 moving to Canada or Mexico.............
Slaughter animals (except poultry but              56.00           70.00
 including ruminants) moving to Canada
 or Mexico..............................
Other endorsements or certifications....           38.00          101.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    APHIS charges user fees for the endorsement of export health 
certificates that require the verification of tests or vaccinations. 
Prior to the August 2023 final rule, these fees were set forth in Sec.  
130.20 of the regulations. The current fees as of October 1, 2012, and 
proposed fee rates are listed in table 25 below. The user fees apply to 
each export health certificate endorsed for animals and birds, 
depending on the number of animals or birds covered by the certificate 
and the number of tests or vaccinations required. However, as noted in 
Sec.  130.3 there will be a maximum user fee of 12 times the hourly 
rate user fee.

  Table 25--User Fees for the Endorsement of Export Health Certificates
         That Require the Verification of Tests or Vaccinations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Number \1\ of tests or vaccinations and
    number of animals or birds on the       Current fee      Proposed
               certificate                                 adjusted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        1-2 tests or vaccinations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonslaughter horses to Canada, first              $60.00         $100.00
 horse..................................
Nonslaughter horses to Canada, each                 7.00           58.00
 additional horse.......................
Other animals or birds, first animal....          121.00          160.00
Other animals or birds, each additional             7.00           10.00
 animal.................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        3-6 tests or vaccinations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First animal............................          150.00          206.00
Each additional animal..................           12.00           18.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     7 or more tests or vaccinations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First animal............................          173.00          275.00
Each additional animal..................           14.00           21.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Rabies vaccinations are not included in this number.


[[Page 88712]]

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5542; 7 U.S.C. 1622 and 8301-8317; 21 U.S.C. 
136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 3701, 3716, 3717, 3719, and 3720A; 7 CFR 2.22, 
2.80, and 371.4.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of November 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-25826 Filed 11-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P