Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
01/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/08/2025 12:57
APHIS Announces Updated Veterinary Services User Fees
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APHIS Announces Updated Veterinary Services User Fees
Stakeholder Announcement
Contact:
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing adjusted user fee rates for the costs of providing certain goods and services, including veterinary diagnostic goods and services and veterinary services for imports and exports of live animals and animal products.
The changes ensure the fees APHIS charges more closely align with the costs of providing these services. They also allow the Agency to improve customer service by hiring and training personnel and ensuring the availability of information technology needed to facilitate trade processes, such as issuing export health certificates. The final notice may be viewed in today's Federal Register and will be effective January 10, 2025.
APHIS has not adjusted its fees for veterinary services since 2012, and the agency does not receive appropriated funding to support these activities. In 2023, APHIS issued a final rule outlining a new process for updating user fees and rates. This is the first fee adjustment using the new process.
APHIS' animal health import and export user fees cover significant activities across the country, including at border locations and quarantine facilities. These fees support personnel, facilities, and information technology systems. They also recover the costs of inspection and certification services for imports and exports of live animals, animal products, and animal byproducts as well as provide for veterinary diagnostic goods and services.
On November 8, 2024, APHIS published a notice in the Federal Register with proposed user fee changes. Stakeholders had 30 days to review the proposed changes and provide comments. APHIS has reviewed and addressed the 33 comments received in the final notice in the Federal Register. APHIS will post the new fees to the user fee website on January 10, 2025.
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APHIS protects the health of U.S. agriculture and natural resources against invasive pests and diseases, regulates genetically engineered crops, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and helps people and wildlife coexist. We also certify the health of U.S. agricultural exports and resolve phytosanitary and sanitary issues to open, expand, and maintain markets for U.S plant and animal products.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.