OTHER NEWS - Sept. 23, 1994

Agriculture Department Ponders Charging Fees: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering charging biotechnology and other industries for some of their regulatory costs as a way to raise funds during tight fiscal times, said Terry Medley, director of biotechnology at USDA. The proposal is being considered as part of the Clinton Administration’s proposals for the 1995 Farm Bill, currently being drafted at the agency. However, several attempts at raising funds through so-called user fees at USDA have failed in the past. The House and Senate agriculture committees repeatedly refused to adopt increased meat inspection fees for the Agriculture Department. Now the agency is looking at new areas, not limited to biotechnology, where it can impose user fees.