http://thehill.com/regulation/224392-honey-costs-on-the-rise

By Tim Devaney <http://thehill.com/author/tim-devaney> - 11/17/14 01:58 PM
EST

The price of honey could tick up slightly under new rules
<https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-27253.pdf>
from
the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The USDA proposed Monday to raise fees for the honey industry by 50 percent
over the next two years, which could have a trickle down effect on
consumers.

The USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service charges honey packers and
importers a small fee for research and promotion costs for the industry.
But the agency is looking to increase the fee from 1 cent per pound of
honey to 1.25 cents per found in 2015 and 1.5 cents per pound in 2016.

That could increase industry-wide costs by nearly $7 million each year,
according to the USDA.

"The (Honey Packers and Importers Board) uses health information in its
promotion messaging to help build demand for honey and honey products," the
agency wrote in the *Federal Register*.

"Increasing demand for honey and honey products would benefit the honey
industry as a whole," it added.

The board is also researching ways to maintain the health of honey bees.

..... (it follows)

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