View the Specialty Crops Program U.S. Grade Standards Fact Sheet (pdf)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced a proposed rule that revises the formulas used to calculate hourly fees for official inspection and weighing services performed under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA).

Docket Number: AMS-FGIS-24-0027
Comments Due: November 22, 2024

Summary

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