USDA proposes fees charged to cotton producers for classification services remain US$2.20/bale, unchanged from 2011

Andrew Rogers

WASHINGTON , April 10, 2012 (press release) –
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has proposed that fees charged to cotton producers for classification services remain the same as in 2011.

The $2.20 per bale fee established for the previous crop and the existing reserve are sufficient to cover the costs of providing classification services for the 2012 crop as required by section 14201 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, commonly known as the 2008 Farm Bill. The 2008 Farm Bill also requires that AMS announce the cotton classification fee each year in advance of the beginning of the cotton classing season. As in previous years, cotton classification fees for cotton collected by sampling agents will be discounted five cents per bale. This fee will be applicable for the entire 2012 U.S. cotton crop.

Details of the fees will be published in the April 11, 2012 Federal Register. Comments must be received on or before April 26, 2012.

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