USDA Urges New User Fees to Boost Meat Inspections

WASHINGTON — In the wake of several high-profile food recalls, the White House has proposed two new user fees that would provide $96 million to help pay for additional meat inspections.

The Bush administration proposed in its fiscal 2009 budget one plan that would generate $92 million through a licensing fee that all meat plants would pay based on production levels. An additional $4 million would be collected from plants that require additional testing, have recalls or inspections linked to an outbreak of food-borne illnesses.

"Every other facility in this country that can impact your health or any other person that can impact your health ... has to have a license," said Agriculture Undersecretary Richard Raymond. Meat plants "bear some responsibility to pay for part of their inspection fee."

The White House said the proposal, which requires congressional approval, would generate fees that will reduce appropriation needs in the future.

Read the full Reuters story here.