Based on an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Fiscal Year 2024, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development (the Commission) has approved increases to fees charged for nursery stock, Christmas tree, export, import, and other inspections. Hourly-based fees will increase from $71 per hour to $74 per hour. Acreage-based fees will increase from $65 to $67 for the first acre, and from $39 to $40 for each additional acre. The fee increase will become effective January 1, 2025, and remains in effect until December 31, 2025.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) charges fees for inspection of plants and plant products as authorized under Public Act 189 of 1931, Insect Pests and Plant Diseases. Act 189 requires MDARD to evaluate its inspection costs annually and authorizes increases to inspection fees by not more than an amount determined by the State Treasurer to reflect the cumulative annual percentage change in the Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint (now Detroit-Warren-Dearborn) CPI over the previous one-year period, with the adjustment not to exceed 5%. Fee increases are subject to approval by the Commission.
The State Treasurer reported to MDARD a 3.5% increase in the CPI for Fiscal Year 2024. The Commission approved an increase to inspection fees, based on this 3.5% increase in the CPI, during its November 6, 2024 meeting.