USDA has established cooperative agreements focusing on three key areas to support participant success in the pilot:

POC: Nick Skarzynski, Contract Specialist, AMS Commodity Procurement Program, Phone (404) 562-5862, Email: Nicholas.Skarzynski@usda.gov 

THIS IS A SPECIAL NOTICE FOR A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. THIS NOTICE IS ISSUED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT, NOR IS IT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR OFFERS. RESPONSE TO THIS RFI IS VOLUNTARY.

Summary

Docket Number: AMS-FGIS-24-0055
Dates: An in-person meeting will be held on October 29, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. central and on October 30, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. central. The meeting will be broadcast virtually.

Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee’s fall meeting will be held October 29-30 in Kansas City, Missouri. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Federal Grain Inspection Service will facilitate the meeting.

In addition to general program updates, agenda topics include:

BACKGROUND

When FGIS inspection services are waived or otherwise unavailable, the current MOU agreement between FGIS and APHIS/PPQ does not allow for phytosanitary certification without a 921-2 form. In case of natural disasters or other interruption of services, there should be a procedure that provides phytosanitary issuance which is required by importing countries.

OBJECTIVES AND DISCUSSION 

Periodic Updates for FGIS Inspection Handbooks

Background

The grain inspection industry has been using the same equipment and procedures since its inception in 1976. While these methods have served the industry well over the years, it’s becoming clear that they are not keeping pace with the rapid technological advancements being made within the grain industry itself. This discrepancy is causing issues or holding entities back in terms of staffing, consistency, and accuracy of inspections.

Objectives and Discussion 

New technologies are steadily increasing our grain analysis capability.  The challenge for FGIS, and by extension, for all participants in the grain market, is to incorporate new technologies or improved operating procedures without creating discontinuities or disruptions in markets.  Analytical differences can create instant economic stress if products are revalued or misvalued among market participants.

BACKGROUND