[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24081-24082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11086]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Notice of Continued Suspension of Supervision Fee Assessment
Under the United States Grain Standards Act
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) has determined that the suspension of the assessment of
fees for supervision of official inspection and weighing services
performed by delegated States and/or designated agencies under the
United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) will continue through June
30, 2019.
DATES: This notice is applicable beginning July 1, 2018, and remains
applicable for one year.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Ruggles, USDA-AMS-FGIS-ODA;
Telephone: (816) 659-8406; Email: [email protected].
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact
the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of
2015, Public Law 114-54, amended the USGSA (7 U.S.C. 71-87k) to require
AMS to adjust fees for the supervision of official grain inspection and
weighing in order to maintain an operating reserve of not less than 3
and not more than 6 months (7 U.S.C. 79(j)(4)).
The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA)
published a notification of the suspension of supervision fee
assessment on June 12, 2017, which became effective on July 1, 2017 (82
FR 26843). The realignment of offices within the U.S. Department of
Agriculture authorized by the Secretary's Memorandum dated November 14,
2017, eliminates GIPSA as a standalone agency. The grain inspection
activities formerly part of GIPSA are now organized under AMS.
In order to maintain an operating reserve not less than 3 and not
more than 6 months, AMS reviewed the operating reserve at the end of
fiscal year 2017. The supervision of official inspection and weighing
program-
[[Page 24082]]
operating reserve at the end of fiscal year 2017 was $6,950,142, which
continues to exceed 6 months by a significant margin.
Accordingly, AMS is issuing this notice to announce the suspension
of the fee for supervision of official inspection and weighing services
of domestic grain and land carriers to Canada and Mexico performed by
delegated States and/or designated agencies. According to the
regulations under the USGSA, AMS may suspend any provision of the
regulations in emergencies or other circumstances, which would not
impair the objectives of the USGSA (7 CFR 800.2). AMS has determined
that suspending supervision fees will not impair the objectives of the
USGSA because the operating reserve for supervision services is
sufficient to maintain the service without additional funds.
AMS will continue the suspension of the assessment fee of $0.011
per metric ton on domestic shipments officially inspected and/or
weighed, including land carrier shipments to Canada and Mexico,
performed by delegated States and/or designated agencies on or after
July 1, 2018 (7 CFR 800.71 Schedule B). These fees will remain
suspended for one year, at which time AMS will reassess the operating
reserve for supervision of official agency inspection and weighing.
Dated: May 18, 2018.
Greg Ibach,
Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2018-11086 Filed 5-23-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P