34302 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Parts 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 98

[Docket Number S&T–99–008]

RIN 0581–AB91

Changes in Fees for Science and

Technology (S&T) Laboratory Service

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for

comments.

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing

Service (AMS) proposes to increase the

standard hourly fee rate for each

laboratory analysis conducted under the

AMS S&T Laboratory Program from

$36.26 to $45.00. The premium

laboratory rate for appeals, holiday and

overtime service would be increased

from $54.39 to $67.50 per analysis hour.

These proposed 24.1 percent increases

in hourly rates reflect the additional

revenue S&T is required to collect in

order to recover laboratory program

expenses. AMS also proposes to change

fees for laboratory testing services

which are offered for agricultural food

commodities to reflect actual equipment

and labor expenses for performing each

test. The proposed regulations include

additional tests for commodity products

for incorporation into existing schedules

and sets an updated hourly rate of

$45.00 for unlisted tests. AMS proposes

to remove laboratory tests that have

been found to be obsolete as well as

duplicate tests performed by other

Agricultural Marketing Service

programs. The proposal also has name,

position title, and address changes as a

result of Agency restructuring that lead

to the formation of the AMS Science

and Technology program.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before June 15, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on

this proposed rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or

arguments as they may desire.

Comments should be sent in triplicate to

James V. Falk, Docket Manager, USDA,

AMS, Science and Technology, P.O. Box

96456, Room 3521-South, Washington,

DC 20090–6456; telephone (202) 690–

4089; the facsimile (202) 720–4631, or email: James.Falk@usda.gov and should

refer to the docket title and number

located in the heading of this document.

Comments received will be available for

public inspection in Room 3507, South

Agriculture Building, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, D.C. 20250 between the

hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,

Eastern Time, Monday through Friday,

except Federal holidays. All comments

received on or before the closing date

for comments will be considered. After

the close of the comment period, AMS

intends to publish a final rule in the

Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Anita J. Okrend, Technical Services

Branch Chief, telephone (202) 690–

4025, or e-mail:

Anita.Okrend@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Executive Order 12866

This proposed rule has been

determined to be not significant for the

purposes of Executive Order 12866, and

therefore, has not been reviewed by the

Office of Management and Budget

(OMB).

B. Civil Justice Reform

This action has been reviewed under

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice

Reform. It is not intended to have

retroactive effect. This proposed rule

does not preempt any State or local

laws, regulation, or policies, unless they

present an irreconcilable conflict with

this rule. There are no administrative

procedures which must be exhausted

prior to any judicial challenge to this

rule or the application of its provisions.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

Pursuant to requirements set forth in

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5

U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Administrator of

the Agricultural Marketing Service

(AMS) has considered the economic

impact of this action on small entities.

There are 811 current users of the

Science and Technology’s (S&T)

laboratory testing services. Such users of

services include food processors,

handlers, growers, government agencies,

and exporters. Many of these users are

small entities under the criteria

established by the Small Business

Administration (13 CFR 121.201).

Laboratory tests for commodities are

provided to all businesses on a

voluntary basis and user fees are set at

an hourly rate. Any decision to

discontinue the use of the laboratory

services and obtain new contracts with

other governmental agencies or private

laboratories would not hinder the food

processors or industry members from

marketing their products. User fee costs

to entities would be proportional to

their use of testing services, so that costs

are shared equitably by all users.

The last fee increases for the

Laboratory Program testing services

became effective on May 4, 1998 (63 FR

16370–16375). Since that time, there has

been both a decline in revenue and an

increase in costs. This reflects a shift in

usage patterns on the part of applicants

for testing services and change to

government programs. For example,

several federal commodity purchasing

programs are now relying heavily on

vendor certification rather than

government laboratory testing; a larger

percentage of peanut aflatoxin analyses

are performed by other, non-S&T

laboratories; testing of tobacco samples

is down; and poultry testing is

decreasing due to changing importer

country requirements. In addition, some

companies are doing their own

company and in-house analyses rather

than using government laboratory

testing services. Further, there has been

a noticeable decrease in requested dairy

product testing with the scaling back of

the dairy price support program. Several

streamlining actions to be completed in

FY 2000 will result in cost savings.

They include staff and space reductions

or closing of laboratories. However,

overall, costs are increasing despite

these efforts. Employee salary and

benefits, which account for

approximately 68 percent of FY 2000

operating budget, have increased 4.8 to

5.59 percent, depending on the locality,

since January 2000. For FY 1999, these

increases were 3.54 to 4.02 percent,

depending on locality. Rents, utilities,

communications, and other overhead

costs increased 5.1 percent during FY

1999. These overhead costs are

projected to increase by the same

percentage for FY 2000.

In fiscal year 1999, the S&T

Laboratory Program obligatory costs

exceeded revenues by $1,423,869 with

costs at $6,419,006 and revenue at

$4,995,137. There was an $807,299

decline in revenue in fiscal year 1999.

For FY 2000 the S&T program expects

to report a $1,562,534 deficit at the

current fees because there are expected

to be lower numbers of samples for

analysis with all commodities at our

laboratories. The S&T program projected

costs and revenues for FY 2000 are

$6,513,730 and $4,951,196 respectively

without a fee increase.

The AMS estimates that this rule

would yield $1,584,383 overall in

additional laboratory testing program

revenues during FY 2000. The

laboratory hourly fee rate would

increase by approximately 24.1 percent

from $36.26, as last revised effective

May 4, 1998. The new standard

laboratory service fee rate would be

$45.00 per hour. This fee would also

apply to tests which are not listed in the

fee schedules (Tables 1 through 8). The

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34303

premium laboratory rate for appeals,

holiday and overtime service would be

$67.50 per analysis hour or one and one

half times the fees listed in Tables 1

through 8. This represents a 24.1

percent increase. The fees in Tables 1

through 8 would also be amended. Most

of these would increase. Without an

increase, anticipated revenue would not

adequately cover increasing program

costs. FY 2000 revenues for laboratory

testing are expected to be $4,951,196 at

the current hourly fee rates, obligatory

costs are projected at $6,513,730, and

trust fund balance would be $797,211,

which is below necessary reserve level

($2,552,243). With the fee increase, FY

2000 revenues are projected to be

$5,017,147 with obligatory costs of

$6,400,480 and trust balance at

$874,667. Users of S&T testing services

are under no obligation to use them.

However, it is necessary for AMS to

recover the cost of these services. The

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as

amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.)

provides for the collection of

reimbursable fees from users of the

program services to cover, as nearly as

practicable, the costs of the services

rendered.

Other miscellaneous and

unsubstantial changes are proposed that

would not adversely affect users of the

program services. Related proposed fee

increases represent the minimal fee

increases necessary to cover the costs of

operating the services provided under

the S&T program. Accordingly, the

Administrator has determined that its

provisions would not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

This proposed rule does not contain

any new information collection or

record keeping requirements that are

subject to the Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) approval under the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44

U.S.C. Chapter 35).

E. Background and Proposed Fees

On August 9, 1993, AMS published a

rule in the Federal Register (58 FR

42408–42448) to combine all AMS

regulations concerning laboratory

services. The goal was to consolidate

and to transfer existing laboratory

testing programs operating

independently under the various AMS

commodity programs (Cotton, Poultry,

Fruit and Vegetable, Tobacco, Dairy,

and Livestock and Seed) to its Science

and Technology (S&T) program,

formerly the Science Division and the

Science and Technology Division

(S&TD).

All divisions in the Agricultural

Marketing Service (AMS) were

designated as programs by the

Administrator on September 18, 1997.

The prior rules included fees charged

for testing and related services under

the diversified S&T programs and set an

hourly analytical testing rate. The

current standard hourly rate of $36.26

and the premium hourly rate of $54.39

have been in effect since the April 2,

1998 rule (63 FR 16370—16375).

The S&T laboratory testing programs

are mainly voluntary, user fee services,

conducted under the authority of the

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as

amended. The Act authorizes the

Secretary of Agriculture to provide

Federal analytical testing services that

facilitate marketing and allow products

to obtain grade designations or meet

marketing standards. In addition, the

laboratory tests establish quality

standards for agricultural commodities.

The Act also requires that reasonable

fees be collected from the users of the

services to cover as nearly as possible

the costs of maintaining the programs.

In addition to raising hourly fees,

there is a need to amend all general

schedules and listing of fees for official

laboratory test services in tables 1

through 8 in Part 91, Subpart I due to

rapid changes in analytical

methodologies and customer service

needs. Under the present regulations the

fee schedules list 200 items of

laboratory services in part 91. Many

additions and deletions of laboratory

tests have occurred since the last rule

published on April 2, 1998 (63 FR

16370—16375). The following tables 1

through 8 compare current fees and

charges with proposed fees and charges

for the laboratory testing of food and

fiber products as found at 7 CFR 91.37:

TABLE 1.—AMENDED

Name of specific program Type of analysis Current fee Proposed

fee

Table 1—Single Test Laboratory Fees for Proximate

Analyses.

Ammonia, Ion Selective Electrode ...................................

Ash, Total .........................................................................

Ash, Acid Insoluble ..........................................................

Chloride, Salt Titration (Dairy) .........................................

Fat, Acid Hydrolysis (Cheese) .........................................

Fat Acid Hydrolysis (Mojonnier) .......................................

Fat (Dairy Prod. Except Cheese) .....................................

$81.59

36.26

54.39

18.13

36.26

36.26

18.13

$101.25

45.00

(2)

22.50

45.00

45.00

22.50

Fat (Dry Basis) ................................................................. None 67.50

Fat, Ether Extraction (Soxhlet) ......................................... 36.26 45.00

Fat (Kohman) ................................................................... (1) 45.00

Fat, Microwave-Solvent Extract ....................................... 36.26 45.00

Fiber, Crude ..................................................................... 72.52 (2)

Moisture, Distillation ......................................................... 36.26 45.00

Moisture, Oven ................................................................. 18.13 22.50

Moisture (Kohman) ........................................................... (1) 11.25

Protein, Combustion ......................................................... 72.52 90.00

Protein, Kjeldahl ............................................................... 72.52 90.00

Salt, Back Titration ........................................................... 27.20 33.75

Salt, Potentiometric .......................................................... 18.13 22.50

Salt (Rapid) ...................................................................... (1) 33.75

Standard hourly rate ........................................................ 36.26 45.00

Premium hourly rate ......................................................... 54.39 67.50

1 None.

2 Removed.

34304 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

TABLE 2.—AMENDED

Name of specific program Type of analysis Current fee Proposed

fee

Table 2—Single Test Laboratory Fees for Lipid Related

Analysis.

Acid Degree Value (Dairy) ...............................................

Acidity, Titratable ..............................................................

Carotene, Spectrophotometric .........................................

Catalase Test ...................................................................

Cholesterol .......................................................................

$36.26

9.07

90.65

18.13

90.65

$45.00

22.50

(2)

(2)

(2)

Color (Honey) ................................................................... 18.13 (2)

Color, NEPA (Eggs) ......................................................... 36.26 (2)

Consistency, Bostwick (Cooked) ..................................... 18.13 (2)

Consistency, Bostwick Uncooked) ................................... 18.13 (2)

Density (Specific Gravity) ................................................. 9.07 11.25

Dispersibility (I Dry Whole Milk) ....................................... (1) 67.50

Dispersibility (Moates-Dabbah) ........................................ 18.13 22.50

Fat Stability, AOM ............................................................ 36.26 45.00

Fatty Acid Profile, AOAC–GC .......................................... 145.04 180.00

Flash Point Test only ....................................................... 72.52 90.00

Free Fatty Acids ............................................................... 18.13 22.50

Meltability (Process Cheese) ........................................... 18.13 22.50

Peanut Oil Analyses (Oil, Moisture, Free Fatty Acid,

Ammonia, and Foreign Matter).

(1) 45.00

Any 1 of the oilseed oil analyses ..................................... (1) 22.50

Peroxidase Test ............................................................... 18.13 (2)

Peroxide Value ................................................................. 27.20 33.75

Smoke Point Test only ..................................................... 72.52 90.00

Smoke Point and Flash Point .......................................... 126.91 157.50

Solids, Total (Oven Drying) .............................................. 18.13 22.50

Soluble Solids, Refractometer ......................................... 18.13 22.50

1 None.

2 Removed.

TABLE 3.—AMENDED

Name of specific program Type of analysis Current fee Proposed

fee

Table 3—Single Test Laboratory Fees for Food Additive

(Direct and Indirect).

Aflatoxin (Dairy, Eggs) .....................................................

Alar or Daminozide Residue ............................................

Amitraz Residue, GLC .....................................................

Alcohol (Qualitative) .........................................................

Alkalinity of Ash ................................................................

$126.91

217.56

217.56

72.52

54.39

(2)

(3)

$270.00

(3)

(3)

Antibiotic, Qualitative (Dairy) ............................................ 18.13 22.50

Antibiotic, Quantitative ..................................................... 389.86 393.75

Ascorbates (Qualitative—Meats) ..................................... 18.13 22.50

Ascorbic Acid, Titration .................................................... 36.26 45.00

Ascorbic Acid, Spectrophotometric .................................. 36.26 45.00

Benzene, Residual ........................................................... 72.52 (3)

Brix, Direct Percent Sucrose ............................................ 18.13 22.50

Brix, Dilution ..................................................................... 18.13 22.50

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) ...................................... 54.39 67.50

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) ..................................... 54.39 67.50

Caffeine, Micro Bailey-Andrew ......................................... 54.39 67.50

Caffeine, Spectrophotometric ........................................... 36.26 78.75

Calcium ............................................................................ 54.39 (3)

Citric Acid, GLC or HPLC ................................................ 54.39 67.50

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons: Pesticides and Industrial

Chemicals—Initial Screen.

145.04 180.00

Second Column Confirmation of Analyte ......................... 36.26 45.00

Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer ............................... 72.52 90.00

Dextrin (Qualitative) ......................................................... 18.13 22.50

Dextrin (Quantitative) ....................................................... 108.78 135.00

Filth, Heavy (Dairy) .......................................................... 90.65 112.50

Filth, Heavy (Eggs) .......................................................... 145.04 180.00

Filth, Light (Eggs) ............................................................. 90.65 112.50

Filth, Light & Heavy (Eggs) .............................................. 217.56 270.00

Fines ................................................................................. (1) 22.50

Flavor (Dairy) ................................................................... 9.07 11.25

Flavor (Products except Dairy) ........................................ 27.20 33.75

Fumigants:

Initial Screen—

Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) .................................... 36.26 45.00

Ethylene Dibromide ...................................................... 36.26 45.00

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34305

TABLE 3.—AMENDED—Continued

Name of specific program Type of analysis Current fee Proposed

fee

Methyl Bromide ............................................................. 36.26 45.00

Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer—Each individual

fumigant residue.

72.52 90.00

Glucose (Qualitative) ........................................................ 27.20 33.75

Glucose (Quantitative) ..................................................... 63.46 78.75

Glycerol (Quantitative) ..................................................... 108.78 135.00

Gums ................................................................................ 108.78 135.00

Heavy Metal Screen ......................................................... 317.28 326.25

High Sucrose Content or Avasucrol (Holland Eggs) ....... 145.04 (3)

Hydrogen Ion Activity, pH ................................................ 18.13 (3)

Mercury, Cold Vapor AA .................................................. 90.65 135.00

Metals (Other Than Heavy, Each Metal) ......................... 72.52 (3)

Monosodium Dihydrogen Phosphate ............................... 145.04 180.00

Monosodium Glutamate ................................................... 145.04 180.00

Niacin ............................................................................... 72.52 90.00

Nitrites (Qualitative) .......................................................... 18.13 (3)

Nitrites (Quantitative) ....................................................... 108.78 (3)

Ochratoxin A .................................................................... (1) 67.50

Odor ................................................................................. 9.07 11.25

Organic Acids (in Eggs) ................................................... (1) 180.00

Oxygen ............................................................................. 18.13 22.50

Palatability and Odor:

First Sample ................................................................. 27.20 22.50

Each Additional Sample ............................................... 18.13 (3)

Penicillin ........................................................................... (1) 67.50

Phosphatase, Residual .................................................... 36.26 (3)

Phosphorus ...................................................................... 72.52 (3)

Propylene Glycol, Codistillation: (Qualitative) .................. 72.52 (3)

Pyrethrin Residue (Dairy) ................................................. 145.04 180.00

Scorched Particles ........................................................... 9.07 22.50

Sodium, Potentiometric .................................................... 36.26 45.00

Sodium Benzoate, HPLC ................................................. 54.39 67.50

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) ........................................... 290.08 (3)

Sodium Silicoaluminate (Zeolex) ..................................... 72.52 90.00

Solubility Index ................................................................. 18.13 11.25

Starch (in Dry Milk) .......................................................... (1) 22.50

Starch, Direct Acid Hydrolysis ......................................... 108.78 90.00

Sugar, Polarimetric Methods ............................................ 36.26 33.75

Sugar Profile, HPLC—

One type sugar from profile ......................................... 108.78 135.00

Each additional type sugar ........................................... 18.13 22.50

Sugars, Non-Reducing ..................................................... 108.78 135.00

Sugars, Total as Invert ..................................................... 72.52 (3)

Sulfites (Qualitative) ......................................................... 27.20 (3)

Sulfur Dioxide, Direct Titration ......................................... 36.26 45.00

Sulfur Dioxide, Monier-Williams ....................................... 54.39 (3)

Toluene, Residual ............................................................ 72.52 90.00

Triethyl Citrate, GC (Quantitative) ................................... 36.26 (3)

Vitamin A, Carr-Price (Dairy) ........................................... 45.33 112.50

Vitamin A, HPLC .............................................................. 90.65 90.00

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) ...................................................... 72.52 90.00

Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) ................................................... 72.52 90.00

Vitamin D, HPLC (Vitamins D2 & D3/Dairy) .................... 308.21 382.50

Whey Protein Nitrogen ..................................................... 27.20 33.75

Whey Protein Nitrogen, Kjeldahl ...................................... (1) 112.50

Xanthydrol Test for Urea .................................................. 54.39 67.50

This is an optional test to the extraneous material isolation test.

1 None.

2 Redistributed.

3 Removed.

34306 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

TABLE 4.—AMENDED

Name of specific program Type of analysis Current fee Proposed

fee

Table 4—Single Test Laboratory Fees for Other Chemical and Physical Component AnalysesAvailable Carbon Dioxide (Baking Powders) ...................

Capsaicin (Hot Sauce) .....................................................

Cheese (Fines) .................................................................

Color, Apparent-Visual .....................................................

Complete Kohman Analysis-DairyExtractable Color in

Spices.

Grape Juice Absorbancy Ratio ........................................

$145.04

72.52

(1)

9.07

36.26

18.13

18.13

(2)

(2)

$11.25

11.25

45.00

(2)

(2)

Hot Water Insolubles ........................................................ (1) 67.50

Hydroxymethylfurfural (Honey) ........................................ 36.26 (2)

Jelly Strength (Bloom) ...................................................... 90.65 (2)

Linolenic Acid. .................................................................. 72.52 90.00

Methyl Anthranilate .......................................................... 36.26 (2)

Net Weight (Per Can) ...................................................... 9.07 11.25

Non-Volatile Methylene Chloride Extract ......................... 90.65 112.50

Overrun for Whipped Topping ......................................... 27.20 33.75

Particle Size (Ether Wash) ............................................... 18.13 22.50

pH ..................................................................................... (1) 11.25

pH—Quinhydrone (Cheese) ............................................. 18.13 22.50

Potassium Iodide (Table Salt) .......................................... 54.39 67.50

Protein Reducing Substances .......................................... (1) 45.00

Quinic Acid (Cranberry Juice) .......................................... 63.46 78.75

Serum Drainage for Whipped Topping ............................ 18.13 22.50

Sieve or Particle Size ....................................................... 18.13 22.50

Rate of Wetting (Nondairy Creamer) ............................... 18.13 22.50

Reducing Sugars .............................................................. 72.52 90.00

Water Activity ................................................................... 27.20 22.50

Water Insoluble Inorganic Residues (WIIR) .................... 72.52 90.00

Yellow Onion Test ............................................................ 27.20 (2)

1 None.

2 Removed.

TABLE 5.—AMENDED

Name of specific program Type of analysis Current fee Proposed

fee

Table 5—Single Test Laboratory Fees for Microbiological Analyses.Aerobic (Standard) Plate Count .......................................

Anaerobic Bacterial Plate Count ......................................

Bacillus cereus .................................................................

Bacterial Direct Microscopic Count ..................................

Campylobacter jejuni ........................................................

$18.13

27.20

72.52

36.26

145.04

$22.50

33.75

90.00

45.00

(2)

Coliform Plate Count (Dairy Products) ............................ 18.13 22.50

Coliform Plate Count, Violet Red Bile Agar (Presumptive

Coliform Plate Count).

27.20 33.75

Coliforms, Most Probable Number (MPN):

Step 1 ........................................................................... 27.20 33.75

Step 2 ........................................................................... 27.20 22.50

Direct Microscopic Clump Count ..................................... (1) 11.25

Direct Microscopic Clump Count Greater Than 75 Million.(1) 45.00

E. coli, Presumptive MPN (Additional) ............................. 54.39 45.00

E. coli (MUG) ................................................................... (1) 33.75

Enterococci Count ............................................................ 108.78 135.00

Howard Mold Count ......................................................... (1) 56.25

Lactobacillus Count .......................................................... 45.33 56.25

Lactic Acid Tolerant Microbes .......................................... (1) 22.50

Listeria monocytogenes Confirmation Analysis:

Step 1 ........................................................................... 54.39 67.50

Step 2 ........................................................................... 54.39 56.25

Step 3 (Confirmation) ................................................... 90.65 112.50

Parasite Identification ....................................................... 145.05 180.00

Psychrotrophic Bacterial Plate Count .............................. 27.20 45.00

Salmonella (USDA Culture Method):

Step 1 (Dairy Products) ................................................ $36.26 (2)

Step 1 ........................................................................... 54.39 $78.75

Step 2 ........................................................................... 27.20 33.75

Step 3 (Confirmation) ................................................... 54.39 56.25

Serological Typing (Optional) ....................................... 90.65 (2)

Salmonella Enumeration (Complete Test) ................... 108.78 135.00

Salmonella (Rapid Methods):

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34307

TABLE 5.—AMENDED—Continued

Name of specific program Type of analysis Current fee Proposed

fee

Step 1 ........................................................................... 72.52 78.75

Step 2 ........................................................................... 27.20 33.75

Step 3 (Confirmation) ................................................... 54.39 56.25

Salmonella typhi (Meat Products) .................................... 36.26 45.00

Staphylococcus aureus, Direct Plating ............................ (1) 67.50

Staphylococcus aureus, MPN: With Coagulase Positive

Confirmation.

63.46 78.75

Thermoduric Bacterial Plate Count .................................. 27.20 33.75

Yeast and Mold Count ..................................................... 18.13 22.50

Yeast and Mold Differential Confirmation ........................ (1) 22.50

Yeast and Mold Differential Plate Count ......................... 27.20 33.75

Yeast or Mold Confirmation ............................................. (1) 22.50

1 None.

2 Removed.

TABLE 6.—[AMENDED] LABORATORY FEES FOR AFLATOXIN ANALYSES

Aflatoxin test by commodity

Current fee

per single

analysis

Current fee

per pair

analyses

Proposed fee

per single

analysis

Proposed fee

per pair

analyses 1

Peanut Butter (TLC–CB, HPLC, Affinity Column) Affinity Column) ................ $36.26 (3) $45.00 (3)

Corn (TLC–CB, HPLC, Affinity Column) .......................................................... 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

Roasted Peanuts (TLC–BF) ............................................................................ 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

Brazil Nuts (TLC–BF) ...................................................................................... 72.52 (3) 90.00 (3)

Pistachio Nuts (TLC–BF, HPLC) ..................................................................... 72.52 (3) 90.00 (3)

Shelled Peanuts (TLC , Affinity Column) ......................................................... 17.00 $34.00 45.00 $38.00

Shelled Peanuts (HPLC) ................................................................................. 31.00 62.00 45.00 70.00

Tree Nuts (TLC) ............................................................................................... 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

Oilseed Meals (TLC, HPLC, Affinity Column) ................................................. 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

Edible Seeds (TLC) ......................................................................................... 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

Dried Fruit (TLC) .............................................................................................. 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

Small Grains (TLC) .......................................................................................... 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

In-Shell Peanuts (TLC, Affinity Column) .......................................................... 17.00 34.00 45.00 38.00

In-Shell Peanuts (HPLC) ................................................................................. (2) (2) 45.00 70.00

Silage; Other Grains (TLC) .............................................................................. 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

Submitted Samples (TLC, HPLC, Affinity Column) ......................................... 36.26 (3) 45.00 (3)

Aflatoxin (Dairy, Eggs) ..................................................................................... 126.91 (2) 157.50 (3)

1Aflatoxin testing of raw peanuts under Peanut Marketing Agreement for subsamples 1–AB, 2–AB, 3–AB, and 1–CD for single or pair of analyses is $19.00 or $38.00, respectively using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Best Foods (BF) extraction or immunoaffinity column assay

with fluorometric quantitation. The BF method has been modified to incorporate a water slurry extraction procedure. The Contaminants Branch

(CB) method is used on occasion as an alternative method for peanuts and peanut meal when doubt exists as to the effectiveness of the Best

Foods method in extracting aflatoxin from the sample or when background interferences exist that might mask TLC quantitation of aflatoxin. The

cost per single or pair of analyses using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is $35.00 and $70.00, respectively. Other aflatoxin analyses for fruits and vegetables are listed at Science and Technology’s current hourly rate of $45.00. 2 None.

3 NA=Not Applicable.

TABLE 7.—MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES SUPPLEMENTAL—TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY’S LABORATORY TEST FEES

Laboratory service description Current list fee Proposed list fee

Sample Grinding by Vertical Cutter Mixer

(VCM).

$18.13 ............................................................... $22.50.

Sample Grinding Canned Boned Poultry .......... 36.26 ................................................................. 11.25 per can.

Sample Grinding by Dickens Hammer Mill ....... None ................................................................. 11.25.

Sample Grinding (Meats, Meat Products,

Meals, Ready-to-Eat):

......................................................................

Per pouch or raw sample ........................... 9.07 ................................................................... 11.25.

Per tray pack .............................................. 18.13 ................................................................. 22.50.

Compositing Multiple Subsamples for an Individual Test Sample—Unit per Subsample.9.07 ................................................................... Varies—Preparation fee based on $45.00 per

hour.

TABLE 8.—ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLICABLE TO SAMPLE RECEIPT AND ANALYSIS REPORT

Service description Current list charge Proposed list charge

Established Courier Expense at Albany, Georgia S&T Laboratory.$2.15 ................................................................. Removed.

34308 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

TABLE 8.—ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLICABLE TO SAMPLE RECEIPT AND ANALYSIS REPORT—Continued

Service description Current list charge Proposed list charge

Courier Expense at Other AMS Laboratories:

Mileage Charge Set at $0.325 Per Mile

Round Trip from Laboratory to Delivery Site..

Varies ............................................................... Varies (based on total mileage).

Facsimile Charge (Per Analysis Report) ........... $3.20 minimum up to first 3 pages, then $1.10

per page.

$3.20 minimum up to first 3 pages, then $1.50

per page.

Additional Analysis Report or Extra Certificate

(1⁄2 hour charge minimum).

$18.13 per report or certificate reissued .......... $22.50 per report or certificate issued.

Currently, there are 200 tests or

laboratory services in the current fee

schedules in Tables 1 through 8 of Part

91 of the regulations. This proposed rule

recommends removing 41 laboratory

tests or services which have been found

to be obsolete or which duplicate tests

performed by other Agricultural

Marketing Service programs. The

proposed rule adds 28 new analytical

tests that are frequently requested by

many of Science and Technology’s 811

customers. The customers for our

laboratory services would benefit with

the increased convenience of choosing

newer and perhaps less costly analytical

methods for determining a particular

analyte in a commodity product. Once

this rule becomes effective, there would

be 187 laboratory test and service

descriptions with scheduled fees in

tables 1 through 8 of part 91 of the

regulations. The majority of the fees

have increased by 24.1 percent.

However, 11 fees have increased by a

greater percentage and 8 fees have been

lowered. Although the fees set for the

various tests are based on the hourly fee,

it is necessary to consider other factors

when setting fees for some of the tests.

For example, the large increase in

proposed fees for some laboratory tests

is due to the additional need to recover

the large increase in costs for

specialized chemicals or

microbiological media and other

materials for performing these tests.

Therefore, the titratable acidity and the

scorched particles analyses would

increase from $9.07 to $22.50, and the

Carr-Price vitamin A (Dairy) test would

increase from $45.33 to $112.50. For the

same reason, S&T is proposing to

increase the cost of performing step 1

for the Salmonella (USDA culture

method) to $78.75 from $54.39 and the

fee for performing the psychrotrophic

bacterial plate count would change from

$27.20 to $45.00.

The general 24.1 percent increase in

user fees for laboratory services are

intended to cover all of the costs

associated with S&T Laboratory

Program. In fee tables 1 through 8 in 7

CFR part 91, S&T is proposing to

increase the fees for the quantitative

antibiotic, the heavy metal screen, the

step 1 Listeria monocytogenes analysis,

the step 3 or confirmation Salmonella

analysis (both the USDA culture and

rapid methods), and the step 1

Salmonella analysis (rapid method) by

1, 2.8, 3.4, 3.4 (both), and 8.6 percent

respectively. In addition, certain

laboratory fees are proposed to be

lowered by 17.3 percent. These are the

palatability and odor test, the direct acid

hydrolysis starch test, the water activity

test, the step 2 MPN coliforms test, and

the MPN presumptive E. coli test. S&T

is also proposing to lower the fees for

the solubility index, the sugar

polarimetric methods, and the HPLC

vitamin A analysis by 37.9, 6.9, and 0.7

percent respectively.

In its analysis of projected costs for

fiscal years 1999 and 2000, AMS has

identified increases in the costs of

providing laboratory testing services

despite declining revenues. In fiscal

year 1999, the S&T Laboratory Program

obligatory costs exceeded revenues by

$1,423,869 with costs at $6,419,006 and

revenue at $4,995,137. There was an

$807,299 decline in revenue in fiscal

year 1999. For FY 2000 the S&T

program expects to report a $1,562,534

deficit at the current fees because there

are expected to be lower numbers of

samples for analysis with all

commodities at our laboratories. The

S&T program projected costs and

revenues for FY 2000 are $6,513,730

and $4,951,196 respectively without a

fee increase. The corresponding

decrease in revenue with lower numbers

of samples are attributable mainly to a

shift in usage patterns on the part of

applicants for testing services and

change to government programs. For

example, several federal commodity

purchasing programs are now relying

heavily on vendor certification rather

than government laboratory testing; a

larger percentage of peanut aflatoxin

analyses are performed by Peanut

Administrative (PAC) approved private

laboratories; testing of tobacco samples

is down; and poultry testing is

decreasing due to changing importer

country requirements. In addition, some

companies are doing their own

company analyses rather than using

government laboratory testing services.

Further, there has been a noticeable

decrease in requested dairy product

testing as a result of an ongoing phase

out of the dairy price support program.

Several streamlining actions to be

completed in FY 2000 will result in cost

savings. They include staff and space

reductions or closing of laboratories. For

example, S&T has voluntarily closed

aflatoxin testing facilities at Dothan,

Alabama and Ashburn, Georgia that are

currently listed in 7 CFR part 91.

Overall, costs are increasing despite

these efforts. Employee salary and

benefits, which account for

approximately 68 percent of FY 2000

operating budget, have increased 4.8 to

5.59 percent, depending on the locality,

since January 2000. For FY 1999, these

increases were 3.54 to 4.02 percent,

depending on locality. Rents, utilities,

communications, and other overhead

costs increased 5.1 percent during FY

1999. These overhead costs are

projected to increase by the same

percentage for FY 2000.

The AMS estimates that this rule

would yield $1,584,383 overall in

additional laboratory testing program

revenues during FY 2000. The

laboratory hourly fee rate would

increase by approximately 24.1 percent

from $36.26, as last revised effective

May 4, 1998 (63 FR 16370). The new

standard laboratory service fee rate

would be $45.00 per hour. This fee

would also apply to tests which are not

listed in the fee schedules (Tables 1

through 8). The premium laboratory rate

for appeals, holiday and overtime

service would be $67.50 per analysis

hour or one and one half times the fees

listed in Tables 1 through 8. This

represents an approximate 24.1 percent

increase. The fees in Tables 1 through

8 would also be amended. Most of these

would increase. Without an increase,

anticipated revenue would not

adequately cover increasing program

costs. FY 2000 revenues for laboratory

testing are expected to be $4,951,196 at

the current hourly fee rates, obligatory

costs are projected at $6,513,730, and

trust fund balances would be $797,211,

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34309

which is below necessary reserve level

($2,552,243). With the fee increase, FY

2000 revenues are projected to be

$5,017,147 with obligatory costs of

$6,400,480 and trust balance at

$874,667. Users of S&T testing services

are under no obligation to use them.

However, it is necessary for AMS to

recover the cost of these services. The

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as

amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.)

provides for the collection of

reimbursable fees from users of the

program services to cover, as nearly as

practicable, the costs of the services

rendered.

All divisions in the Agricultural

Marketing Service (AMS) were

designated as programs by the

Administrator on September 18, 1997.

Hence, this proposal also has name,

position title, address corrections, and

other changes which are administrative

in nature as a result of these Agency

restructuring efforts. The term ‘‘Science

and Technology Division’’ would be

changed to ‘‘Science and Technology.’’

The term ‘‘Director’’ would be replaced

by the term ‘‘Deputy Administrator.’’

Section 91.5 would list new addresses

for the Science and Technology regional

laboratories, headquarters offices, the

Information Technology (IT) office, the

Statistical Branch office, and the offices

for residue programs. The name

‘‘Residue Branch’’ in section 91.5 would

be more appropriately named ‘‘Pesticide

Data Branch.’’ In section 91.9, the

Technical Service Branch Chief would

replace the defunct Laboratory

Operations Coordination Staff Chief

position. In sections 91.23, 93.13, 94.4

and 98.4, the analytical method

references would have updated

addresses. Section 91.37 would list a

world wide web (www) site (http://

ams.usda.gov/science) in which to

obtain updated schedules of the

laboratory testing fees. In section 91.37,

a new fee ($11.25) in table 7 for sample

grinding by Dickens hammer mill would

be listed.. In table 8 of section 91.37, a

revised facsimile charge ($1.50) for an

additional page would be listed. In

section 91.40, the established courier

expense at the S&T peanut aflatoxin

laboratory in Albany, Georgia would be

removed.

This proposed rule provides for a 20-

day comment period. This period is

deemed appropriate in view of the need

to make changes to the fees as soon as

possible, in order to cover the necessary

and ongoing expenditures of the S&T

Laboratory Program. All comments

which are received during the comment

period will be considered before this

rule is finalized.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 90

Agricultural commodities,

Laboratories, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements.

7 CFR Part 91

Administrative practice and

procedure, Agricultural commodities,

Laboratories, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements.

7 CFR Part 92

Agricultural commodities,

Laboratories, Pesticides and pests,

Tobacco.

7 CFR Part 93

Agricultural commodities, Citrus

fruits, Fruit juices, Fruits, Laboratories,

Nuts, Vegetables.

7 CFR Part 94

Agricultural commodities, Eggs,

Laboratories, Poultry.

7 CFR Part 98

Agricultural commodities,

Laboratories, Meat and Meat products.

For the reasons set forth in the

preamble, the Agricultural Marketing

Service proposes to amend Title 7,

chapter I, subchapter E, of the Code of

Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 90—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 90

continues to read as follows:

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

§ 90.1 [Amended]

2. In § 90.1, the words ‘‘Science and

Technology Division’’ are revised to

read ‘‘Science and Technology’’, the

words ‘‘Science and Technology

Division’s’’ are revised to read ‘‘Science

and Technology’s’’, and the word

‘‘S&TD’’ is revised to read ‘‘S&T’’

everywhere they appear.

§ 90.2 [Amended]

3. In § 90.2, the definitions of

‘‘Director,’’ ‘‘Division’’ and

‘‘Laboratories’’ are removed and new

definitions of ‘‘Deputy Administrator’’,

‘‘Laboratories’’, and ‘‘Program’’ are

added in alphabetical order read as

follows:

§ 90.2 General terms defined.

* * * * *

Deputy Administrator. The Deputy

Administrator of the Science and

Technology program of the Agricultural

Marketing Service agency, or any officer

or employee of this agency to whom

authority has heretofore been delegated,

or to whom authority may hereafter be

delegated, to act.

Laboratories. Science and Technology

laboratories performing the official

analyses described in this subchapter.

Program. The Science and

Technology (S&T) program of the

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

which performs official analytical

testing services, issues licenses for

cottonseed chemists, and conducts

quality assurance reviews and grants

accreditation or certification for

commodity testing programs of

laboratories.

* * * * *

§ 90.3 [Amended]

4. In § 90.3, the words ‘‘Science and

Technology Division’’ are revised to

read ‘‘Science and Technology’’.

§ 90.101 [Amended]

5. In § 90.101, the words ‘‘Science and

Technology Division’’ are revised to

read ‘‘Science and Technology’’.

§ 90.102 [Amended]

6. In § 90.102, the word ‘‘Director’’ is

revised to read ‘‘Deputy Administrator’’.

PART 91—[AMENDED]

7. The authority citation for part 91

continues to read as follows:

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

§ 91.1 [Amended]

8. In § 91.1, the words ‘‘Science and

Technology Division’’ are revised to

read ‘‘Science and Technology’’.

9. In § 91.2, the definition for

‘‘Applicant’’ is revised and the

definition for ‘‘Agency’’ is added to read

as follows:

§ 91.2 Definitions.

* * * * *

Agency. The Agricultural Marketing

Service agency of the United States

Department of Agriculture.

* * * * *

Applicant. Any person or

organization requesting services

provided by the Science and

Technology (S&T) programs.

* * * * *

§ 91.3 [Amended]

10. In § 91.3, the words ‘‘Division

Director’’ are revised to read ‘‘Deputy

Administrator’’.

11. Section 91.4 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.4 Kinds of services.

(a) Analytical tests. Analytical

laboratory testing services under the

regulations in this subchapter consist of

microbiological, chemical, and certain

34310 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

other analyses, requested by the

applicant and performed on tobacco,

seed, dairy, egg, fruit and vegetable,

meat and poultry products, and related

processed products. Analyses are

performed to determine if products meet

Federal specifications or specifications

defined in purchase contracts and

cooperative agreements. Laboratory

analyses are also performed on egg

products as part of the mandatory Egg

Products Inspection Program under the

management of USDA’s Food Safety and

Inspection Service (FSIS) as detailed in

9 CFR 590.580.

(b) Examination and licensure. The

manager of the Science and

Technology’s Cottonseed Chemist

Licensing Program administers

examinations and licenses chemists to

certify the official grade of cottonseed.

(c) Quality assurance reviews. The

Science and Technology representative

performs on-site laboratory quality

assurance reviews (both required and

voluntary) to ensure that appropriate

technical methods, equipment

maintenance, and quality control

procedures are being observed.

(d) Consultation. Technical advice,

statistical science consultation, and

quality assurance program assistance are

provided by the representatives for the

Science and Technology programs for

domestic and foreign laboratories.

12. Section 91.5 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.5 Where services are offered.

(a) Services are offered to applicants

at the Science and Technology

laboratories and facilities in the

following list.

(1) Science and Technology regional

laboratories. A variety of tests and

laboratory analyses are available in two

regional multi-disciplinary Science and

Technology (S&T) laboratories, and are

located as follows:

(i) USDA, AMS, S&T, Midwestern

Laboratory, 3570 North Avondale

Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618–5391.

(ii) USDA, AMS, S&T, Eastern

Laboratory (Microbiology), 2311–B

Aberdeen Boulevard, Gastonia, NC

28054.

(iii) USDA, AMS, S&T, Eastern

Laboratory (Chemistry), 645 Cox

Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.

(2) Science and Technology (S&T)

aflatoxin laboratories. The specialty

laboratories performing aflatoxin testing

on peanuts, peanut products, dried

fruits, grains, edible seeds, tree nuts,

shelled corn products, oilseed products

and other commodities are located as

follows:

(i) USDA, AMS, S&T, 1211 Schley

Avenue, Albany, GA 31707.

(ii) USDA, AMS, S&T, c/o Golden

Peanut Company, Mail: P.O. Box 279,

301 West Pearl Street, Aulander, NC

27805.

(iii) USDA, AMS, S&T, 610 North Main

Street, Blakely, GA 31723.

(iv) USDA, AMS, S&T, 107 South

Fourth Street, Madill, OK 73446.

(v) USDA, AMS, S&T, c/o Cargill Peanut

Products, Mail: P.O. Box 272, 715

North Main Street, Dawson, GA

31742–0272.

(vi) USDA, AMS, S&T, Mail: P.O. Box

1130, 308 Culloden Street, Suffolk,

VA 23434.

(3) Citrus laboratory. The Science and

Technology’s citrus laboratory

specializes in testing citrus juices and

other citrus products and is located as

follows: USDA, AMS, S&T Eastern

Laboratory (Citrus), 98 Third Street,

S.W., Winter Haven, FL 33880.

(4) Program laboratories. Laboratory

services are available in all areas

covered by cooperative agreements

providing for this laboratory work and

entered on behalf of the Department

with cooperating Federal or State

laboratory agencies pursuant to

authority contained in Act(s) of

Congress. Also, services may be

provided in other areas not covered by

a cooperative agreement if the

Administrator determines that it is

possible to provide such laboratory

services.

(5) Other alternative laboratories.

Laboratory analyses may be conducted

at alternative Science and Technology

laboratories and can be reached from

any commodity market in which a

laboratory facility is located to the

extent laboratory personnel are

available.

(6) The Plant Variety Protection (PVP)

Office. The PVP office and plant

examination facility of the Science and

Technology programs issues certificates

of protection to developers of novel

varieties of plants which reproduce

sexually. The PVP office is located as

follows: USDA, AMS, Science &

Technology, Plant Variety Protection

Office, National Agricultural Library

Building, Room 500, 10301 Baltimore

Boulevard, Beltsville, MD 20705–2351.

(7) Science and Technology

headquarters offices. The examination,

licensure, quality assurance reviews,

laboratory accreditation/certification

and consultation services are provided

by headquarters staff located in

Washington, DC. The main headquarters

office is located as follows: USDA,

AMS, Science and Technology, Office of

the Deputy Administrator, Room 3507

South Agriculture Bldg., Mail Stop

0222, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,

Washington, DC 20250.

(8) The Information Technology (IT)

Office. The IT office of the Science and

Technology programs is headed by

AMS’s Chief Information Officer (CIO)

and provides information technology

services and management systems to the

Agency and other agencies within the

USDA. The main IT office is located as

follows: USDA, AMS, Science and

Technology, Office of the Chief

Information Officer, 1752 South

Agriculture Bldg., 1400 Independence

Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250.

(9) Statistical Branch office. The

Statistical Branch office of Science and

Technology (S&T) provides statistical

services to the Agency and other

agencies within the USDA. In addition,

the Statistical Branch office devices

sample plans and performs consulting

services for research studies in joint

efforts with or in a leading role with

other program areas of AMS or of the

USDA. The main Statistical Branch

office is located as follows: USDA,

AMS, S&T Statistical Branch, 0611

South Agriculture Bldg., 1400

Independence Ave., SW., Washington,

DC 20250.

(10) Offices for Pesticide Residue

Programs. Services afforded by the

Federal Pesticide Record Keeping

Program for restricted-use pesticides by

certified applicators and services

afforded by the Pesticide Data Program

(PDP) are provided by offices located as

follows:

(i) USDA, AMS, Science and

Technology, Pesticide Data Branch,

8700 Centreville Road, Suite 200,

Manassas, VA 20110–8411.

(ii) USDA, AMS, Science and

Technology, Pesticide Records

Branch, 8700 Centreville Road, Suite

202, Manassas, VA 20110–8411.

(iii) USDA, AMS, Science and

Technology, Office of Associate

Deputy Administrator, Room 3522

South Agriculture Bldg., 1400

Independence Ave., SW., Washington,

DC 20250.

(b) The addresses of the various

laboratories and offices appear in the

pertinent parts of this subchapter. A

prospective applicant may obtain a

current listing of addresses and

telephone numbers of Science and

Technology laboratories, offices, and

facilities by addressing an inquiry to the

Administrative Officer, Science and

Technology, Agricultural Marketing

Service, United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA), P.O. Box 96456,

Room 0727 South Building, Mail Stop

0271, Washington, DC 20090–6456.

§ 91.6 [Amended]

13. In § 91.6, paragraph (a), the words

‘‘Science and Technology Division’’ are

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34311

revised to read ‘‘Science and

Technology’’.

14. Section 91.9 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.9 How to make an application.

(a) Voluntary. An application for

analysis and testing may be made by

contacting the director or supervisor of

the Science and Technology laboratory

where the service is provided, or by

contacting the Technical Services

Branch Chief at Science and Technology

Headquarters, Washington, DC. A list of

the Science and Technology laboratories

is included in § 91.5.

(b) Mandatory. In the case of

mandatory analyses, such as those

required to be performed on eggs and

egg products, application for services

may be submitted to the office or USDA

agency which administers the program,

or by contacting an inspector or grader

who is involved with the program.

15. Section 91.23 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.23 Analytical methods.

Most analyses are performed

according to approved procedures

described in manuals of standardized

methodology. These standard methods

are the specific methods used.

Alternatively, equivalent methods

prescribed in cooperative agreements

are used. The manuals of standard

methods most often used by the Science

and Technology laboratories are listed

as follows:

(a) Approved Methods of the

American Association of Cereal

Chemists (AACC), American

Association of Cereal Chemists/Eagan

Press, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul,

Minnesota 55121–2097.

(b) ASTA’s Analytical Methods

Manual, American Spice Trade

Association (ASTA), 560 Sylvan

Avenue, P.O. Box 1267, Englewood

Cliffs, New Jersey 07632.

(c) Compendium Methods for the

Microbiological Examination of Foods,

Carl Vanderzant and Don Splittstoesser

(Editors), American Public Health

Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street, NW,

Washington, DC 20005.

(d) Edwards, P.R. and W.H. Ewing,

Edwards and Ewing’s Identification of

Enterobacteriaceae, Elsevier Science,

Inc., Regional Sales Office, 655 Avenue

of the Americas, P.O. Box 945, New

York, NY 10159–0945.

(e) FDA Bacteriological Analytical

Manual (BAM), AOAC

INTERNATIONAL, 481 North Frederick

Avenue, Suite 500, Gaithersburg, MD

20877–2417.

(f) Manual of Analytical Methods for

the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in

Human and Environmental Samples,

EPA 600/9–80–038, U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) Chemical

Exposure Research Branch, EPA Office

of Research and Development (ORD), 26

West Martin Luther King Drive,

Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.

(g) Official Methods and

Recommended Practices of the

American Oil Chemists’ Society

(AOCS), American Oil Chemists’

Society, P.O. Box 3489, 2211 West

Bradley Avenue, Champaign, Illinois

61821–1827.

(h) Official Methods of Analysis of

AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volumes I &

II, AOAC INTERNATIONAL, 481 North

Frederick Avenue, Suite 500,

Gaithersburg, MD 20877–2417.

(i) Standard Analytical Methods of the

Member Companies of Corn Industries

Research Foundation, Corn Refiners

Association (CRA), 1701 Pennsylvania

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006.

(j) Standard Methods for the

Examination of Dairy Products,

American Public Health Association,

1015 Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington,

DC 20005.

(k) Standard Methods for the

Examination of Water and Wastewater,

American Public Health Association

(APHA), the American Water Works

Association (AWWA) and the Water

Pollution Control Federation, AWWA

Bookstore, 6666 West Quincy Avenue,

Denver, CO 80235.

(l) Test Methods for Evaluating Solid

Waste Physical/Chemical Methods,

Environmental Protection Agency,

Office of Solid Waste, SW–846

Integrated Manual (available from

National Technical Information Service

(NTIS), U.S. Department of Commerce,

5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA

22161).

(m) U.S. Army Natick Research,

Development and Engineering Center’s

Military Specifications, approved

analytical test methods noted therein,

Code NPP–9, Department of Defense

Single Stock Point (DODSSP) for

Military Specifications, Standards,

Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Avenue,

Philadelphia, PA 19111–5094.

(n) U.S. Food and Drug

Administration, Pesticide Analytical

Manuals (PAM), Volumes I and II, Food

and Drug Administration, Center for

Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

(CFSAN), 200 C Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20204 (available from

National Technical Information Service

(NTIS), U.S. Department of Commerce,

5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA

22161).

16. Section 91.24 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.24 Reports of test results.

(a) Results of analyses are provided,

in writing, by facsimile, by e-mail or

other electronic means to the applicant.

(b) Applicants may call the

appropriate Science and Technology

laboratory for interim or final results

prior to issuance of the formal report.

The advance results may be telegraphed,

e-mailed, telephoned, or sent by

facsimile to the applicant. Any

additional expense for advance

information shall be borne by the

requesting party.

(c) A letter report in lieu of an official

certificate of analysis may be issued by

a laboratory representative when such

action appears to be more suitable than

a certificate: Provided, that, issuance of

such report is approved by the Deputy

Administrator.

§ 91.25 [Amended]

17. In § 91.25, the words ‘‘Division

Director’’ are revised to read ‘‘Deputy

Administrator’’.

§ 91.26 [Amended]

18. In § 91.26, the words ‘‘Division

Director’’ are revised to read ‘‘Deputy

Administrator’’, and the word

‘‘Division’’ is revised to read ‘‘Science

and Technology Program’’ everywhere

they appear.

§ 91.31 [Amended]

19. In § 91.31, the words ‘‘Division

Director’’ are revised to read ‘‘Deputy

Administrator’’.

20. Section 91.32 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.32 Where to file for an appeal of a

laboratory service and information required.

(c) Application for an appeal of a

laboratory service may be filed with the

supervisor in the office or the director

of the laboratory facility that issued the

certificate or laboratory report on which

the appeal analysis covering the

commodity product is requested.

(b) The application for an appeal of a

laboratory service shall state the

location of the lot of the commodity

product and the reasons for the appeal;

and date and serial number of the

certificate covering the laboratory

service of the commodity product on

which the appeal is requested. In

addition, such application shall be

accompanied by the original and all

available copies of the certificate or

laboratory report.

(c) Application for an appeal of a

laboratory service may be made orally

(in person or by telephone), in writing,

by e-mail, by facsimile, or by telegraph.

If made orally, written confirmation

shall be made promptly.

34312 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

21. In part 91, subpart I §§ 91.37

through 91.40 are revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.37 Standard hourly fee rate for

laboratory testing, analysis, and other

services.

(a) The standard hourly fee rate in this

section for the individual laboratory

analyses cover the costs of Science and

Technology laboratory services,

including issuance of certificates and

personnel and overhead costs other than

the commodity inspection fees referred

to in 7 CFR 52.42 through 52.46, 52.48

through 52.51, 55.510 through 55.530,

55.560 through 55.570, 58.38 through

58.43, 58.45 through 58.46, 70.71

through 70.72, and 70.75 through 70.78.

The hourly fee rates in this part 91

apply to all processed commodity

products, except flue-cured and burley

tobacco, and exclude aflatoxin analyses,

citrus juices and certain citrus products.

The printed updated schedules of the

laboratory testing fees for processed

fruits and vegetables (7 CFR part 93),

poultry and egg products (7 CFR part

94), and meat and meat products (7 CFR

part 98) will be available for distribution

by the individual Laboratory Directors

of Science and Technology laboratories

listed in § 91.5. The updated schedules

of the laboratory testing fees are also

available for electronic access on the

world wide web (www) site at: http://

ams.usda.gov/science. The fees for

chemical analysis of cottonseed

associated with grading and novel

variety seed certification under the

Plant Variety Protection Act are

specified in 7 CFR parts 96 and 97,

respectively. Except as otherwise

provided in this section, charges will be

made for laboratory analysis at the

standard hourly rate of $45.00 for the

time required to perform the service. A

minimum charge of one-quarter hour at

$11.25 will be made for service

pursuant to each request or certificate

issued.

(b) When a laboratory test service is

provided for AMS by a commercial or

State government laboratory, the

applicant will be assessed a fee which

covers the costs to the Science and

Technology program for the service

provided.

When Science and Technology staff

provides applied and developmental

research and training activities for

microbiological, physical and chemical

analyses on agricultural commodities

the applicant will be charged a fee on

a reimbursable cost basis.

General Schedules of Fees for Official

Laboratory Test Services Performed at the

AMS Science and Technology Laboratories

for Processed Commodity Products

TABLE 1.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY

FEES FOR PROXIMATE ANALYSES

Type of analysis List fee

Ammonia, Ion Selective Electrode $101.25

Ash, Total ..................................... 45.00

Chloride, Salt Titration (Dairy) ...... 22.50

Fat, Acid Hydrolysis (Cheese) ...... 45.00

Fat, Acid Hydrolysis (Mojonnier) .. 45.00

Fat (Dairy Products except

Cheese) ..................................... 22.50

Fat (Dry Basis) ............................. 67.50

Fat, Ether Extraction (Soxhlet) ..... 45.00

Fat (Kohman Analysis) ................. 45.00

Fat, Microwave—Solvent Extraction ............................................ 45.00

Moisture, Distillation ..................... 45.00

TABLE 1.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY

FEES FOR PROXIMATE ANALYSES—

Continued

Type of analysis List fee

Moisture, Oven ............................. 22.50

Moisture (Kohman Analysis) ........ 11.25

Protein, Combustion ..................... 90.00

Protein, Kjeldahl ........................... 90.00

Salt, Back Titration ....................... 33.75

Salt, Potentiometric ...................... 22.50

Salt, (Rapid) .................................. 33.75

TABLE 2.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY

FEES FOR LIPID RELATED ANALYSES

Type of analysis List fee

Acid Degree Value (Dairy) ........... $45.00

Acidity, Titratable .......................... 22.50

Density (Specific Gravity) ............. 11.25

Dispersibility (Instant Dry Whole

Milk) ........................................... 67.50

Dispersibility (Moates-Dabbah

Method) ..................................... 22.50

Fat Stability,1 AOM ....................... 45.00

Fatty Acid Profile (AOAC–GC

method) ..................................... 180.00

Flash Point Test only .................... 90.00

Free Fatty Acids ........................... 22.50

Meltability (Process Cheese) ........ 22.50

Peanut Oil Analyses (Oil, Moisture, Free Fatty Acids, Ammonia, and Foreign Matter) ........... 45.00

Any One of the Oilseed Oil Analyses ........................................... 22.50

Peroxide Value ............................. 33.75

Smoke Point Test only ................. 90.00

Smoke Point and Flash Point ....... 157.50

Solids, Total (Oven Drying) .......... 22.50

Soluble Solids, Refractometer ...... 22.50

1Peroxide value analysis is required as a

prerequisite to the fat stability test at the additional fee.

TABLE 3.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR FOOD ADDITIVES (DIRECT AND INDIRECT)

Type of analysis List fee

Amitraz Residue, GLC ......................................................................................................................................................................... $270.00

Antibiotic, Qualitative (Dairy) ............................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Antibiotic, Quantitative 1 ....................................................................................................................................................................... 393.75

Ascorbates (Qualitative—Meats) ......................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Ascorbic Acid, Titration ........................................................................................................................................................................ 45.00

Ascorbic Acid, Spectrophotometric ...................................................................................................................................................... 45.00

Brix, Direct Percent Sucrose ............................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Brix, Dilution ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) ......................................................................................................................................................... 67.50

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) ......................................................................................................................................................... 67.50

Caffeine, Micro Bailey-Andrew ............................................................................................................................................................ 67.50

Caffeine, Spectrophotometric .............................................................................................................................................................. 78.75

Citric Acid, GLC or HPLC .................................................................................................................................................................... 67.50

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons:

Pesticides and Industrial Chemicals—

Initial Screen .......................................................................................................................................................................... 180.00

Second Column Confirmation of Analyte .............................................................................................................................. 45.00

Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer (Per Residue) ............................................................................................................. 90.00

Dextrin (Qualitative) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 22.50

Dextrin (Quantitative) ........................................................................................................................................................................... 135.00

Filth, Heavy (Dairy) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 112.50

Filth, Heavy (Eggs) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 180.00

Filth, Light (Eggs) ................................................................................................................................................................................ 112.50

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34313

TABLE 3.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR FOOD ADDITIVES (DIRECT AND INDIRECT)—Continued

Type of analysis List fee

Filth, Light & Heavy (Eggs Extraneous) .............................................................................................................................................. 270.00

Fines .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Flavor (Dairy) ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 11.25

Flavor (Products except Dairy) ............................................................................................................................................................ 33.75

Fumigants:

Initial Screen—

Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) ............................................................................................................................................ 45.00

Ethylene Dibromide ............................................................................................................................................................... 45.00

Methyl Bromide ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45.00

Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer—

Each individual fumigant residue .......................................................................................................................................... 90.00

Glucose (Qualitative) ........................................................................................................................................................................... 33.75

Glucose (Quantitative) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 78.75

Glycerol (Quantitative) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 135.00

Gums ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 135.00

Heavy Metal Screen 2 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 326.25

Mercury, Cold Vapor AA ...................................................................................................................................................................... 135.00

Monosodium Dihydrogen Phosphate .................................................................................................................................................. 180.00

Monosodium Glutamate ....................................................................................................................................................................... 180.00

Niacin ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 90.00

Ochratoxin A ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 67.50

Odor ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11.25

Organic Acids (in Eggs) ....................................................................................................................................................................... 180.00

Oxygen ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22.50

Palatability and Odor:

Each Sample ................................................................................................................................................................................ 22.50

Penicillin ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 67.50

Pyrethrin Residue (Dairy) .................................................................................................................................................................... 180.00

Scorched Particles ............................................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Sodium, Potentiometric ........................................................................................................................................................................ 45.00

Sodium Benzoate, HPLC ..................................................................................................................................................................... 67.50

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) ............................................................................................................................................................... 360.00

Sodium Silicoaluminate (Zeolex) ......................................................................................................................................................... 90.00

Solubility Index ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 11.25

Starch, Direct Acid Hydrolysis ............................................................................................................................................................. 90.00

Starch (in Dry Milk) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 22.50

Sugar, Polarimetric Methods ............................................................................................................................................................... 33.75

Sugar Profile, HPLC 3.

One type sugar from HPLC profile ............................................................................................................................................... 135.00

Each additional type sugar ........................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Sugars, Non-Reducing ........................................................................................................................................................................ 135.00

Sulfur Dioxide, Direct Titration ............................................................................................................................................................. 45.00

Toluene, Residual ................................................................................................................................................................................ 90.00

Vitamin A, Carr-Price (Dairy) ............................................................................................................................................................... 112.50

Vitamin A, HPLC .................................................................................................................................................................................. 90.00

Vitamin B–1 (Thiamin) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 90.00

Vitamin B–2 (Riboflavin) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 90.00

Vitamin D, HPLC (Vitamins D2 and D3), Dairy .................................................................................................................................... 382.50

Whey Protein Nitrogen ........................................................................................................................................................................ 33.75

Whey Protein Nitrogen, Kjeldahl ......................................................................................................................................................... 112.50

Xanthydrol Test For Urea .................................................................................................................................................................... 67.50

This is an optional test to the extraneous materials isolation test.

1Antibiotic testing includes tests for chlorotetracycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline.

2 Heavy metal screen includes tests for cadmium, lead, and mercury.

3This profile includes the following components: Dextrose, Fructose, Lactose, Maltose and Sucrose.

TABLE 4.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR OTHER CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL COMPONENT ANALYSES

Type of analysis List fee

Cheese (Fines) ........................................................................................................................................................................................ $11.25

Color, Apparent—Visual .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11.25

Complete Kohman Analysis (Dairy) ........................................................................................................................................................ 45.00

Hot Water Insolubles ............................................................................................................................................................................... 67.50

Linolenic Acid ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 90.00

Net Weight (Per Can) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 11.25

Non-Volatile Methylene Chloride Extract ................................................................................................................................................. 112.50

Overrun for Whipped Topping ................................................................................................................................................................. 33.75

Particle Size (Ether Wash) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

pH ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11.25

pH—Quinhydrone (Cheese) .................................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

34314 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

TABLE 4.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR OTHER CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL COMPONENT ANALYSES—Continued

Type of analysis List fee

Potassium Iodide (Table Salt) ................................................................................................................................................................. 67.50

Protein Reducing Substances ................................................................................................................................................................. 45.00

Quinic Acid (Cranberry Juice) ................................................................................................................................................................. 78.75

Serum Drainage for Whipped Topping .................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Sieve or Particle Size .............................................................................................................................................................................. 22.50

Rate of Wetting (Nondairy Creamer) ....................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Reducing Sugars ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 90.00

Water Activity ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Water Insoluble Inorganic: Residues (WIIR) ........................................................................................................................................... 90.00

TABLE 5.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSES

Type of analysis List fee

Aerobic (Standard) Plate Count .......................................................................................................................................................... $22.50

Anaerobic Bacterial Plate Count ......................................................................................................................................................... 33.75

Bacillus cereus ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 90.00

Bacterial Direct Microscopic Count ..................................................................................................................................................... 45.00

Coliform Plate Count (Dairy Products) ................................................................................................................................................ 22.50

Coliform Plate Count, Violet Red Bile Agar (Presumptive Coliform Plate Count) .............................................................................. 33.75

Coliforms, Most Probable Number (MPN): 1

Step 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 33.75

Step 2 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Direct Microscopic Clump Count ......................................................................................................................................................... 11.25

Direct Microscopic Clump Count— Greater Than 75 Million .............................................................................................................. 45.00

E. coli, Presumptive MPN (Additional) 2 .............................................................................................................................................. 45.00

E. coli (MUG 3) ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 33.75

Enterococci Count ............................................................................................................................................................................... 135.00

Howard Mold Count 4 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 56.25

Lactobacillus Count 5 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 56.25

Lactic Acid Tolerant Microbes ............................................................................................................................................................. 22.50

Listeria monocytogenes Confirmation Analysis: 6

Step 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 67.50

Step 2 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 56.25

Step 3 (Confirmation) ................................................................................................................................................................... 112.50

Parasite Identification .......................................................................................................................................................................... 180.00

Psychrotrophic Bacterial Plate Count .................................................................................................................................................. 45.00

Salmonella (USDA Culture Method): 7

Step 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 78.75

Step 2 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 33.75

Step 3 (Confirmation) ................................................................................................................................................................... 56.25

Salmonella Enumeration (Complete Test) .......................................................................................................................................... 135.00

Salmonella (Rapid Methods): 8

Step 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 78.75

Step 2 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 33.75

Step 3 (Confirmation) ................................................................................................................................................................... 56.25

Salmonella typhi (Meat Products) 9 ..................................................................................................................................................... 45.00

Staphylococcus aureus, Direct Plating ................................................................................................................................................ 67.50

Staphylococcus aureus, MPN: With Coagulase Positive Confirmation .............................................................................................. 78.75

Thermoduric Bacterial Plate Count ..................................................................................................................................................... 33.75

Yeast and Mold Count ......................................................................................................................................................................... 22.50

Yeast and Mold Differential Confirmation ............................................................................................................................................ 22.50

Yeast and Mold Differential Plate Count ............................................................................................................................................. 33.75

Yeast or Mold Confirmation ................................................................................................................................................................. 22.50

1 Coliform MPN analysis may be in two steps as follows: Step 1—presumptive test through lauryl sulfate tryptose broth; Step 2—confirmatory

test through brilliant green lactose bile broth. 2Step 1 of the coliform MPN analysis is a prerequisite for the performance of the presumptive E. coli test. Prior enrichment in lauryl sulfate

tryptose broth is required for optimal recovery of E. coli from inoculated and incubated EC broth (Escherichia coli broth). The E. coli test is performed through growth on eosin methylene blue agar. The fee stated for E. coli analysis is a supplementary charge to step 1 of coliform test. 3 In the presence of the substrate 4-methylumbelliferone-β-D-glucuronide (MUG), the enzyme β-glucuronidase, which is found in the majority of

E. coli strains, produces a fluorogenic end product which is visible under ultraviolet (UV) light. 4 Howard Mold Count involves counting mold filaments in commodity products.

5 Determination of bacterial plate count of different species of Lactobacillus. 6 Listeria monocytogenes test using the USDA method may be in three steps as follows: Step 1—isolation by University of Vermont modified

(UVM) broth and Fraser’s broth enrichments and selective plating with Modified Oxford (MOX) agar; Presumptive Step 2—typical colonies inoculated from Horse Blood into brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and check for characteristic motility; Confirmatory Step 3—culture from BHI broth

with typical motility is inoculated into the seven biochemical media, BHI agar for oxidase and catalase tests, Motility test medium, and Christie-Atkins-Munch-Peterson (CAMP) test.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34315

Listeria monocytogenes test using the FDA method may be in three steps as follows: Step 1—isolation by trypticase soy broth with 0.6% yeast

extract (TSB–YE) broth enrichment and selective plating with Modified McBrides agar and Lithium chloride Phenylethanol Moxalactam (LPM)

agar; Presumptive Step 2—typical colonies inoculated to trypticase soy agar with yeast extract (TSA–YE) with sheep blood plates to check for

hemolysis followed by inoculations to BHI broth and TSA–YE plates to check for characteristic motility, gram stain and catalase test; Confirmatory Step 3—culture from BHI broth with typical motility for wet mount is inoculated into the required 10 biochemical media, Sulfide-Indole-Motility (SIM) medium, and the CAMP test. Serology is checked using growth from TSA–YE plates.

Both methods for Listeria determination have the equivalent time needed for each step. 7Salmonella test may be in three steps as follows: Step 1— growth through differential agars; Step 2—growth and testing through triple sugar

iron and lysine iron agars; Step 3— confirmatory test through biochemicals, and polyvalent serological testing with Poly ‘‘O’’ and Poly ‘‘H’’

antiserums. The serological typing of Salmonella is requested on occasion. 8Salmonella test may be in three steps as follows: Step 1—growth in enrichment broths and ELISA test or DNA hybridization system assay;

Step 2—growth and testing through triple sugar iron and lysine iron agars; Step 3—confirmatory test through biochemicals, and polyvalent serological testing with Poly ‘‘O’’ and Poly ‘‘H’’ antiserums. 9Salmonella typhi determination in mechanically deboned meat.

TABLE 6.—LABORATORY FEES FOR AFLATOXIN ANALYSES

Aflatoxin test by commodity Single analysis

fee

Pair analyses 1

fee

Peanut Butter (TLC–CB, HPLC, Affinity Column) ................................................................................................... $45.00 NA2

Corn (TLC–CB, HPLC, Affinity Column) ................................................................................................................. 45.00 NA

Roasted Peanuts (TLC–BF) .................................................................................................................................... 45.00 NA

Brazil Nuts (TLC–BF) .............................................................................................................................................. 90.00 NA

Pistachio Nuts (TLC–BF, HPLC) ............................................................................................................................. 90.00 NA

Shelled Peanuts (TLC, Affinity Column) .................................................................................................................. 45.00 38.00

Shelled Peanuts (HPLC) ......................................................................................................................................... 45.00 70.00

Tree Nuts (TLC) ....................................................................................................................................................... 45.00 NA

Oilseed Meals (TLC, HPLC, Affinity Column) ......................................................................................................... 45.00 NA

Edible Seeds (TLC) ................................................................................................................................................. 45.00 NA

Dried Fruit (TLC) ...................................................................................................................................................... 45.00 NA

Small Grains (TLC) .................................................................................................................................................. 45.00 NA

In-Shell Peanuts (TLC, Affinity Column) ................................................................................................................. 45.00 38.00

In-Shell Peanuts (HPLC) ......................................................................................................................................... 45.00 70.00

Silage; Other Grains (TLC) ...................................................................................................................................... 45.00 NA

Submitted Samples (TLC, HPLC, Affinity Column) ................................................................................................. 45.00 NA

Aflatoxin (Dairy, Eggs) ............................................................................................................................................. 157.50 NA

1Aflatoxin testing of raw peanuts under Peanut Marketing Agreement for subsamples 1–AB, 2–AB, 3–AB, and 1–CD for single or pair of analyses is $19.00 or $38.00, respectively using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Best Foods (BF) extraction or immunoaffinity column assay

with fluorometric quantitation. The BF method has been modified to incorporate a water slurry extraction procedure. The Contaminants Branch

(CB) method is used on occasion as an alternative method for peanuts and peanut meal when doubt exists as to the effectiveness of the Best

Foods method in extracting aflatoxin from the sample or when background interferences exist that might mask TLC quantitation of aflatoxin. The

cost per single or pair of analyses using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is $35.00 and $70.00, respectively. Other aflatoxin analyses for fruits and vegetables are listed at Science and Technology’s current hourly rate of $45.00. 2 NA denotes not applicable.

TABLE 7.—MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY’S LABORATORY ANALYSIS FEES

Laboratory service description List fee

Sample Grinding by Vertical Cutter Mixer (VCM) .................................... $22.50.

Sample Grinding Canned Boned Poultry ................................................. 11.25 per can.

Sample Grinding by Dickens Hammer Mill .............................................. 11.25.

Sample Grinding (Meats, Meat Products, Meals, Ready-to-Eat):

Per pouch or raw sample .................................................................. 11.25.

Per tray pack ..................................................................................... 22.50.

Compositing Multiple Subsamples for an Individual Test Sample Unit

per subsample.

Varies Preparation fee based on $45.00 per hour.

TABLE 8.—ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLICABLE TO THE SAMPLE RECEIPT AND ANALYSIS REPORT

Service description List charge

Courier Expense at Other AMS Laboratories: Mileage Charge Set at

32.5 Per Mile Round Trip from Laboratory to Delivery Site.

Varies (based on total mileage).

Facsimile Charge (Per Analysis Report) .................................................. $3.20 minimum up to first 3 pages, then $1.50 per page.

Additional Analysis Report or Extra Certificate (1⁄2 hour charge) ............ $22.50 per report or certificate reissued.

§ 91.38 Additional fees for appeal of

analysis.

(a) The appellant will be charged an

additional fee at a rate of 1.5 times the

standard rate stated in § 91.37(a) if, as a

result of an authorized appeal analysis,

it is determined that the original test

results are correct. The appeal

laboratory rate is $67.50 per analysis

hour.

(b) The appeal fee will be waived if

the appeal laboratory test discloses that

an inadvertent error was made in the

original analysis.

34316 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

§ 91.39 Premium hourly fee rate for

overtime and legal holiday service.

(a) Laboratory analyses initiated at the

special request of the applicant to be

rendered on Saturdays, Sundays,

Federal holidays, and on an overtime

basis will be charged at a rate of 1.5

times the standard rate stated in § 91.37

(a). The premium laboratory rate for

holiday and overtime service will be

$67.50 per analysis hour.

(b) Information on legal holidays or

what constitutes overtime service at a

particular S&T laboratory is available

from the Laboratory Director or facility

supervisor.

§ 91.40 Fees for courier service and

facsimile of the analysis report.

(a) The Science and Technology

laboratories have a courier charge per

trip to retrieve the sample package. The

courier service charge is determined

from the established single standard

mileage rate and from the total

authorized distance based on the

shortest round trip route from laboratory

to sample retrieval site. Pursuant to the

requirements of Title 5, United States

Code (U.S.C.), part III, subpart D, § 5704,

paragraph (a) (1), the automobile

reimbursement rate per mile established

by the Administrator of General

Services for an employee who is

engaged on official business for the

Government cannot exceed the single

standard mileage rate established by the

Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

(b) The faxing of laboratory analysis

reports or certificates is an optional

service for each S&T facility offered at

a fee specified in table 8 in § 91.37.

§ 91.41 [Amended]

22.–26. In § 91.41, the words

‘‘Division Director’’ are revised to read

‘‘Deputy Administrator.’’

27. § 91.42 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.42 Billing.

(a) Each billing cycle will end on the

25th of the month. The applicant will be

billed by the National Finance Center

using the Billings and Collections

System (BLCO) on the 1st day, following

the end of the billing cycle in which

voluntary laboratory services and other

services were rendered at a particular

Science and Technology laboratory.

(b) The total charge shall normally be

stated directly on the analysis report or

on a standardized official certificate

form for the laboratory analyses of a

specific agricultural commodity and

related commodity products.

(c) The actual bill for collection will

be issued by the USDA, National

Finance Center Billings and Collection

Branch, (Mail: P.O. Box 60075), 13800

Old Gentilly Road, New Orleans,

Louisiana 70160–0001.

28. In § 91.43, paragraph (b) is revised

and in paragraph (c) the words

‘‘Division Director’’ are removed and the

words ‘‘Deputy Administrator’’ are

added in their place to read as follows:

§ 91.43 Payment of fees and charges.

* * * * *

(b) Fees and charges for services

under a cooperative agreement with a

State or other AMS programs or other

governmental agency will be paid in

accordance with the terms of the

cooperative agreement.

* * * * *

29. In § 91.44, paragraph (e) is revised

to read as follows:

§ 91.44 Charges on overdue accounts and

issuance of delinquency notices.

* * * * *

(e) The Deputy Administrator of S&T

program and personnel of the USDA,

NFC Billings and Collections Branch

(address as listed in § 91.42) will take

such actions as may be necessary to

collect any delinquent amounts due for

accounts in claim status.

30. Section 91.45 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.45 Charges for laboratory services on

a contract basis.

(a) Irrespective of hourly fee rates and

charges prescribed in § 91.37, or in other

sections of this subchapter E, the

Deputy Administrator may enter into

contracts with applicants to perform

continuous laboratory services or other

types of laboratory services pursuant to

the regulations in this part and other

requirements, as prescribed by the

Deputy Administrator in such contract.

In addition, the charges for such

laboratory services, provided in such

contracts, shall be on such basis as will

reimburse the Agricultural Marketing

Service of the Department for the full

cost of rendering such laboratory

services, including an appropriate

overhead charge to cover administrative

overhead expenses as may be

determined by the Administrator.

(b) Irrespective of hourly fee rates and

charges prescribed in this subpart I, or

in other parts of this subchapter E, the

Deputy Administrator may enter into a

written Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) or agreement with any

administrative agency or governing

party for the performance of laboratory

services pursuant to said agreement or

order on a basis that will reimburse the

Agricultural Marketing Service of the

Department for the full cost of rendering

such laboratory service, including an

appropriate overhead administrative

overhead charge.

(c) The conditions and terms for

renewal of such Memorandum of

Understanding or agreement shall be

specified in the contract.

PART 92—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 92

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 511m and 7 U.S.C.

511r.

§ 92.1 [Amended]

2. In § 92.1, the words ‘‘Science and

Technology Division’s’’ are revised to

read ‘‘Science and Technology’s’’.

§ 92.2 [Amended]

3. Section 92.2 is amended as follows:

a. Remove the definition of

‘‘Certificate of Analysis (Form CSSD–

3)’’.

b. Revise the definitions for ‘‘2,4-D’’,

‘‘DDE’’, ‘‘Dicamba’’, ‘‘HCB’’, ‘‘Maximum

pesticide residue level’’, ‘‘Pesticide

certification’’, ‘‘Pesticide test

sample’’,’’Sample Identification Form

(Form TB-89)’’, ‘‘2,4,5-T’’, ‘‘TDE’’, and

‘‘Tobacco’’.

c. Add two new definitions of ‘‘AMS’’

and ‘‘Certificate of Analysis (Form TB–

92)’’ in alphabetical order to read as

follows:

§ 92.2 Definitions.

* * * * *

AMS. The abbreviations for the

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

agency of the United States Department

of Agriculture.

* * * * *

Certificate of Analysis (Form TB–92).

A legal document on which the

confirmed test results for official

samples will be testified to be correct by

a Science and Technology chemist in

charge of testing.

2,4-D. The common abbreviation for

the acid herbicide 2,4-

Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

* * * * *

DDE. The common abbreviation for

the chlorinated pesticide

Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene.

Degradation product of DDT by loss of

one molecule of hydrochloric acid or

referred to as a dehydrohalogenation

process.

* * * * *

Dicamba. The common name for the

acid herbicide 2-Methoxy-3,6-

dichlorobenzoic acid.

* * * * *

HCB. The common abbreviation for

the organochlorine pesticide

Hexachlorobenzene.

* * * * *

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34317

Maximum pesticide residue level. The

maximum concentration of residue

allowable for a specific pesticide or

combination of pesticides, as set forth in

7 CFR 29.427 by the AMS Deputy

Administrator of the Tobacco Programs.

* * * * *

Pesticide certification. A document

issued by the Tobacco Programs in a

form approved by its AMS Deputy

Administrator, containing a certification

by the importer that flue-cured and

burley tobacco offered for importation

does not exceed the maximum

allowable residue levels of any pesticide

that has been canceled, suspended,

revoked, or otherwise prohibited under

the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and

Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

Pesticide test sample. An official

sample or samples, collected from a lot

of tobacco by the AMS Tobacco

Programs inspector for analysis by a

certified chemist to ascertain the residue

levels of pesticides that have been

canceled, suspended, revoked, or

otherwise prohibited under the FIFRA.

Sample Identification Form (Form

TB–89). A document titled ‘‘Imported

Tobacco Pesticide Residue Analysis’’

that is approved by the AMS Deputy

Administrator of the Tobacco Programs

that identifies and accompanies the

sample to the testing facility.

2,4,5-T. The common abbreviation for

the acid herbicide 2,4,5-

Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

TDE. DDD or the common

abbreviation for the chlorinated

insecticide 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis(pchlorophenyl)ethane (CAS number 72–

54–8).

* * * * *

Tobacco. Tobacco as it appears

between the time it is cured and

stripped from the stalk, or primed and

cured, in whole leaf or strip form, and

the time it enters into the different

manufacturing processes. Conditioning,

sweating, stemming, and threshing are

not regarded as manufacturing

processes. Tobacco, as used in this part,

does not include manufactured or semimanufactured products, stems, cuttings,

clippings, trimmings, siftings, or dust.

4. Section 92.3 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 92.3 Location for laboratory testing and

kind of services available.

(a) The analytical testing of imported

Type 92 flue-cured tobacco samples and

imported Type 93 burley tobacco

samples for maximum pesticide residue

level determinations is performed at the

AMS Science and Technology’s Eastern

Laboratory and is located at: USDA,

AMS, Science and Technology, Eastern

Laboratory (Chemistry), 645 Cox Road,

Gastonia, NC 28054.

(b) Domestic-grown tobacco and

tobacco products may be analyzed for

acid herbicides, chlorinated

hydrocarbons, fumigants, and

organophosphates at the Science and

Technology facility in this section.

(c) The Science and Technology

facility performs for the AMS Tobacco

Programs the quantitative and

confirmatory chemical residue analyses

on pesticide test samples of imported

tobacco for the following specific

pesticides:

(1) Organochlorine pesticides such as

Dichloro-diphenyldichloroethylene

(DDE), Dichloro Diphenyl

Trichloroethane (DDT), 1,1-Dichloro2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (TDE),

Toxaphene, Endrin, Aldrin, Dieldrin,

Heptachlor, Methoxychlor, Chlordane,

Heptachlor Epoxide,

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB),

Cypermethrin, and Permethrin.

(2) Organophosphorus pesticides such

as Formothion.

(3) Fumigants such as Ethylene

Dibromide (EDB) and

Dibromochloropropane (DBCP).

(4) Acid herbicides such as 2,4-D,

2,4,5-T, and Dicamba.

5. In § 92.4, paragraph (b) is revised to

read as follows:

§ 92.4 Approved forms for reporting

analytical results.

* * * * *

(b) Test results of the pesticide

analyses for tobacco shall be recorded

on ‘‘Certificate of Analysis For Official

Samples’’, Form TB–92, and shall be

expressed as parts by weight of the

residue per one million parts by weight

of the tobacco sample (parts per million

or ppm), which concentration is

representative for each particular

pesticide residue found in the lot of

tobacco. Form TB–92 is attached to

Form TB–89 that is returned to the AMS

Tobacco Programs. The analytical data

on Form TB–92 substantiates the

information placed on Form TB–89.

6. Section 92.5 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 92.5 Analytical methods.

Every chemist certified to analyze

tobacco samples for pesticide residue

contamination shall follow precisely the

USDA developed analytical test

methods and all successive official

method updates, as approved by the

AMS Deputy Administrator, Science

and Technology. Many of the official

analyses for tobacco are found in the

following manuals:

(a) Manual of Analytical Methods for

the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in

Human and Environmental Samples,

EPA 600/9–80–038, U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) Chemical

Exposure Research Branch, EPA Office

of Research and Development (ORD), 26

West Martin Luther King Drive,

Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.

(b) Official Methods of Analysis of

AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volumes I

and II, AOAC INTERNATIONAL, 481

North Frederick Avenue, Suite 500,

Gaithersburg, MD 20877–2417.

(c) U.S. Food and Drug

Administration, Pesticide Analytical

Manuals (PAM), Volumes I and II, Food

and Drug Administration, Center for

Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

(CFSAN), 200 C Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20204 (available from

National Technical Information Service

(NTIS), U.S. Department of Commerce,

5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA

22161).

7. Section 92.6 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 92.6 Cost for pesticide analysis set by

cooperative agreement.

The fee for the pesticide analysis of

tobacco is set by the AMS Tobacco

Programs, in conjunction with the AMS

Science and Technology program, and

appears at 7 CFR 29.500 as part of

Tobacco Programs’ fees for sampling

and certification of imported flue-cured

and burley tobacco. A Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) exists between

the Tobacco Programs and the Science

and Technology (S&T) for the testing of

imported tobacco samples for pesticide

residue contamination, and the

corresponding agreement on the cost of

analyses is specified in the MOU.

PART 93—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 93

continues to read as follows:

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

§ 93.2 [Amended]

2. In § 93.2, the definitions for ‘‘Brix

or degrees Brix’’, ‘‘Brix value’’ and

‘‘Recoverable oil’’ are revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.2 Definitions.

* * * * *

Brix or degrees Brix. The percent by

weight concentration of the total soluble

solids of the juice or citrus product

when tested with a Brix hydrometer

calibrated at 20 °C (68 °F) and to which

any applicable temperature correction

has been made. The Brix or degrees Brix

may be determined by any other method

which gives equivalent results.

Brix value. The pure sucrose or

soluble solids value of the juice or citrus

product determined by using the

34318 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

refractometer along with the

‘‘International Scale of Refractive

Indices of Sucrose Solutions’’ and to

which the applicable correction for

acidity is added. The Brix value is

determined in accordance with the

refractometer method outlined in the

Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC

INTERNATIONAL, Volumes I & II.

* * * * *

Recoverable oil. The percent of oil by

volume, determined by the bromate

titration method after distillation and

acidification as described in the current

edition of the Official Methods of

Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL,

Volumes I & II.

* * * * *

3. Section 93.3 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.3 Analyses available and location of

laboratory.

(a) Laboratory analyses of citrus juice

and other citrus products are being

performed at the following Science and

Technology location: USDA, AMS, S&T

Eastern Laboratory (Citrus), 98 Third

Street, S.W., Winter Haven, FL 33880.

(b) Laboratory analyses of citrus fruit

and products in Florida are available in

order to determine if such commodities

satisfy the quality and grade standards

set forth in the Florida Citrus Code

(Florida Statutes Pursuant to Chapter

601). Such analyses include tests for

acid as anhydrous citric acid, Brix, Brix/

acid ratio, recoverable oil, and artificial

coloring matter additive, as turmeric.

The Fruit and Vegetable Inspectors of

the Division of Fruit and Vegetable of

the Florida Department of Agriculture

and Consumer Services may also

request analyses for arsenic metal, pulp

wash (ultraviolet and fluorescence),

standard plate count, yeast with mold

count, and nutritive sweetening

ingredients as sugars.

(c) There are additional laboratory

tests available upon request at the

Science and Technology Eastern (Citrus)

Laboratory at Winter Haven, Florida.

Such analyses include tests for

vitamins, naringin, sodium benzoate,

Salmonella, protein, salt, pesticide

residues, sodium metal, ash, potassium

metal, and coliforms for citrus products.

4. Section 93.4 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.4 Analytical methods.

(a) The majority of analytical methods

for citrus products are found in the

Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC

INTERNATIONAL, Volumes I & II,

AOAC INTERNATIONAL, 481 North

Frederick Avenue, Suite 500,

Gaithersburg, MD 20877–2417.

(b) Other analytical methods for citrus

products may be used as approved by

the AMS Deputy Administrator, Science

and Technology (S&T).

5. Section 93.5 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.5 Fees for citrus product analyses set

by cooperative agreement.

The fees for the analyses of fresh

citrus juices and other citrus products

shall be set by mutual agreement

between the applicant, the State of

Florida, and the AMS Deputy

Administrator, Science and Technology

programs. A Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) or cooperative

agreement exists presently with the

AMS Science and Technology and the

State of Florida, regarding the set hourly

rate and the costs to perform individual

analytical tests on Florida citrus

products, for the State.

6. In § 93.11, the definitions for

‘‘Aflatoxin’’ and ‘‘Peanut Administrative

Committee (PAC)’’ are revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.11 Definitions.

* * * * *

Aflatoxin. A toxic metabolite

produced by the molds Aspergillus

flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and

Aspergillus nomius. The aflatoxin

compounds fluoresce when viewed

under UV light as follows: aflatoxin B1

and derivatives with a blue

fluorescence, aflatoxin B2 with a blueviolet fluorescence, aflatoxin G1 with a

green fluorescence, aflatoxin G2 with a

green-blue fluorescence, aflatoxin M1

with a blue-violet fluorescence, and

aflatoxin M2 with a violet fluorescence.

These closely related molecular

structures are referred to as aflatoxin B1,

B2, G1, G2, M1, M2, GM1, B2a, G2a, R0, B3,

1-OCH3B2, and 1-CH3G2.

Peanut Administrative Committee

(PAC). The committee established under

the United States Department of

Agriculture Marketing Agreement for

Peanuts, 7 CFR part 998, which

administers the terms and provisions of

this Agreement, including the aflatoxin

control program for domestically

produced raw peanuts, for peanut

shellers. The Peanut Administrative

Committee (PAC) headquarters are at

2537 Lafayette Plaza Drive Suite A;

Albany, Georgia 31707.

* * * * *

7. Section 93.12 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.12 Analyses available and locations

of laboratories.

(a) Aflatoxin testing services. The

aflatoxin analyses for peanuts, peanut

products, dried fruits, grains, edible

seeds, tree nuts, shelled corn products,

cottonseed, oilseed products and other

commodities are performed at the

following 6 locations for AMS Science

and Technology (S&T) Aflatoxin

Laboratories:

(1) USDA, AMS, S&T, 1211 Schley

Avenue, Albany, GA 31707.

(2) USDA, AMS, S&T, c/o Golden

Peanut Company, Mail: P.O. Box 279,

301 West Pearl Street, Aulander, NC

27805.

(3) USDA, AMS, S&T, 610 North Main

Street, Blakely, GA 31723.

(4) USDA, AMS, S&T, 107 South Fourth

Street, Madill, OK 73446.

(5) USDA, AMS, S&T, c/o Cargill Peanut

Products, Mail: P.O. Box 272, 715

North Main Street, Dawson, GA

31742–0272.

(6) USDA, AMS, S&T, Mail: P.O. Box

1130, 308 Culloden Street, Suffolk,

VA 23434.

(b) Peanuts, peanut products, and

oilseed testing services. (1) The Science

and Technology (S&T) Aflatoxin

Laboratories at Madill, Oklahoma and

Blakely, Georgia will perform other

analyses for peanuts, peanut products,

and a variety of oilseeds. The analyses

for oilseeds include testing for free fatty

acids, ammonia, nitrogen or protein,

moisture and volatile matter, foreign

matter, and oil (fat) content.

(2) All of the analyses described in

paragraph (b)(1) of this section

performed on a single seed sample are

billed at the rate of one hour per sample.

Any single seed analysis performed on

a single sample is billed at the rate of

one-half hour per sample. The standard

hourly rate shall be as specified in

§ 91.37(a) of this subchapter.

(c) Vegetable oil testing services. The

analyses for vegetable oils are performed

at the USDA, AMS, Science and

Technology (S&T) Midwestern

Laboratory, 3570 North Avondale

Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618–5391. The

analyses for vegetable oils will include

the flash point test, smoke point test,

acid value, peroxide value, phosphorus

in oil, and specific gravity. The fee

charged for any single laboratory

analysis for vegetable oils shall be

obtained from the Midwestern

Laboratory Director and it is based on

the hourly fee rates and charges as

specified in 7 CFR part 91, subpart I.

8. Section 93.13 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.13 Analytical methods.

Official analyses for peanuts, nuts,

corn, oilseeds, and related vegetable oils

are found in the following manuals:

(a) Approved Methods of the

American Association of Cereal

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 34319

Chemists (AACC), American

Association of Cereal Chemists/Eagan

Press, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul,

Minnesota 55121–2097.

(b) ASTA’s Analytical Methods

Manual, American Spice Trade

Association (ASTA), 560 Sylvan

Avenue, P.O. Box 1267, Englewood

Cliffs, New Jersey 07632.

(c) Analyst’s Instruction for Aflatoxin

(August 1994), S&T Instruction No. 1,

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service,

Science and Technology, 3521 South

Agriculture Building, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW, P.O. Box

96456, Washington, DC 20090–6456.

(d) Official Methods and

Recommended Practices of the

American Oil Chemists’ Society

(AOCS), American Oil Chemists’

Society, P.O. Box 3489, 2211 West

Bradley Avenue, Champaign, Illinois

61821–1827.

(e) Official Methods of Analysis of

AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volumes I &

II, AOAC INTERNATIONAL, 481 North

Frederick Avenue, Suite 500,

Gaithersburg, MD 20877–2417.

(f) Standard Analytical Methods of the

Member Companies of Corn Industries

Research Foundation, Corn Refiners

Association (CRA), 1701 Pennsylvania

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006.

(g) U.S. Army Natick Research,

Development and Engineering Center’s

Military Specifications, approved

analytical test methods noted therein,

Code NPP–9, Department of Defense

Single Stock Point (DODSSP) for

Military Specifications, Standards,

Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Avenue,

Philadelphia, PA 19111–5094.

9. Section 93.14 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.14 Fees for aflatoxin analysis and

fees for testing of other mycotoxins.

(a) The fee charged for any laboratory

analysis for aflatoxins and other

mycotoxins shall be obtained from the

Laboratory Director for aflatoxin

laboratories at the Dothan

administrative office as follows: USDA,

AMS, Science & Technology, 3119

Wesley Way, Suite 6, Dothan, Alabama

36305, Voice Phone: 334–794–5070,

Facsimile: 334–792–1432.

(b) The charge for the aflatoxin testing

of raw peanuts under the Peanut

Marketing Agreement for subsamples 1–

AB, 2–AB, 3–AB, and 1–CD is a set cost

per pair of analyses and shall be set by

cooperative agreement between the

Peanut Administrative Committee and

AMS Science and Technology program.

10. Section 93.15 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 93.15 Fees for analytical testing of

oilseeds.

The fee charged for any laboratory

analysis for oilseeds shall be obtained

from the Laboratory Director for

aflatoxin laboratories at the Dothan

administrative office as listed in

§ 93.14(a).

PART 94—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 94

continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 2–28 of the Egg Products

Inspection Act (84 Stat. 1620–1635; 21 U.S.C.

1031–1056), Agricultural Marketing Act of

1946, Secs. 202–208 as amended (60 Stat.

1087–1091; 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627).

2. In § 94.2, the definitions for ‘‘Egg’’,

‘‘Egg product’’ and ‘‘Mandatory sample’’

are revised to read as follows:

§ 94.2 Definitions.

* * * * *

Egg. The shell egg of the domesticated

chicken, turkey, duck, goose, or guinea.

Some of the terms applicable to shell

eggs are defined by the AMS Poultry

Programs in 7 CFR 57.5.

Egg product. Any dried, frozen, or

liquid eggs, with or without added

ingredients. However, products which

contain eggs only in a relatively small

proportion or historically have not been,

in the judgment of the Secretary,

considered by consumers as products of

the egg food industry may be exempted

by the Secretary under such conditions

as may be prescribed to assure that the

egg ingredients are not adulterated and

such products are not represented as egg

products. Some of the products

exempted as not being egg products are

specified by the AMS Poultry Programs

in 7 CFR 57.5.

Mandatory sample. An official sample

of egg product(s) taken for testing under

authority of the Egg Products Inspection

Act (21 U.S.C. 1031–1056) for analysis

by a United States Department of

Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing

Service, Science and Technology

laboratory at government expense. A

mandatory sample shall include an egg

product sample to be analyzed for

microbiological, chemical, or physical

attributes. A mandatory egg product

sample analyzed for the presence of

Salmonella is also referred to as a

confirmation sample as specified by the

Food Safety and Inspection Service

agency of USDA in 9 CFR 590.580,

paragraph (d).

* * * * *

3. In § 94.3, paragraphs (a), (b) and (e)

are revised to read as follows:

§ 94.3 Analyses performed and locations

of laboratories.

(a) Samples drawn by a USDA egg

products inspector will be analyzed by

AMS Science and Technology (S&T)

personnel for microbiological, chemical,

and physical attributes. The analytical

results of these samples will be reported

to the resident egg products inspector at

the applicable plant on the official

certificate.

(b) Mandatory egg product samples

for Salmonella are required and are

analyzed in S&T laboratories to spot

check and confirm the adequacy of

USDA approved and recognized

laboratories for analyzing routine egg

product samples for Salmonella.

* * * * *

(e) The AMS Science and

Technology’s Eastern Laboratory shall

conduct the majority of laboratory

analyses for egg products. The analyses

for mandatory egg product samples are

performed at the following USDA

location: USDA, AMS, Science &

Technology, Eastern Laboratory

(Microbiology), 2311–B Aberdeen

Boulevard, Gastonia, NC 28054.

4. Section 94.4 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 94.4 Analytical methods.

The majority of analytical methods

used by the USDA laboratories to

perform mandatory analyses for egg

products are listed as follows:

(a) Compendium Methods for the

Microbiological Examination of Foods,

Carl Vanderzant and Don Splittstoesser

(Editors), American Public Health

Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street, NW,

Washington, DC 20005.

(b) Edwards, P.R. and W.H. Ewing,

Edwards and Ewing’s Identification of

Enterobacteriaceae, Elsevier Science,

Inc., Regional Sales Office, 655 Avenue

of the Americas, P.O. Box 945, New

York, NY 10159–0945.

(c) FDA Bacteriological Analytical

Manual (BAM), AOAC

INTERNATIONAL, 481 North Frederick

Avenue, Suite 500, Gaithersburg, MD

20877–2417.

(d) Manual of Analytical Methods for

the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in

Human and Environmental Samples,

EPA 600/9–80–038, U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) Chemical

Exposure Research Branch, EPA Office

of Research and Development (ORD), 26

West Martin Luther King Drive,

Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.

(e) Official Methods of Analysis of

AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volumes I &

II, AOAC INTERNATIONAL, 481 North

Frederick Avenue, Suite 500,

Gaithersburg, MD 20877–2417.

34320 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 103 / Friday, May 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

(f) Standard Methods for the

Examination of Dairy Products,

American Public Health Association,

1015 Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington,

DC 20005.

(g) Standard Methods for the

Examination of Water and Wastewater,

American Public Health Association

(APHA), the American Water Works

Association (AWWA) and the Water

Pollution Control Federation, AWWA

Bookstore, 6666 West Quincy Avenue,

Denver, CO 80235.

(h) Test Methods for Evaluating Solid

Waste Physical/Chemical Methods,

Environmental Protection Agency,

Office of Solid Waste, SW–846

Integrated Manual (available from

National Technical Information Service

(NTIS), U.S. Department of Commerce,

5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA

22161).

(i) U.S. Food and Drug

Administration, Pesticide Analytical

Manuals (PAM), Volumes I and II, Food

and Drug Administration, Center for

Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

(CFSAN), 200 C Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20204 (available from

National Technical Information Service

(NTIS), U.S. Department of Commerce,

5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA

22161).

PART 98—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 98

continues to read as follows:

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

2. In part 98, the words ‘‘Science and

Technology Division’’ are revised to

read ‘‘Science and Technology’’, and the

word ‘‘S&TD’’ is revised to read ‘‘S&T’’

everywhere they appear.

Dated: May 22, 2000.

William J. Franks, Jr.,

Deputy Administrator, Science and

Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 00–13238 Filed 5–25–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–02–P