On Wednesday, August 2 NAEGA and the National Grain and Feed Association submitted a joint statement to the Grain Inspectors, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) regarding the agency’s notice of intent to certify the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) as a delegated official agency. In the comments, NAEGA and NGFA strongly recommend that GIPSA, FGIS and the WSDA implement procedures to prevent disruptions of work and meet the statutory obligations of the Grain Standards Act, including:

1. Prohibiting the intervention of political influence in determining whether, how and by whom Official inspections by Delegated State agencies are conducted at export port locations.
2. Requiring FGIS to act with expedited due process to prevent illegal actions that impede or prohibit Official Grain Inspection and Weighing Services.
3. Developing processes and procedures if a Delegated Official State agency is to be replaced by FGIS inspectors.
4. Provide for GIPSA to meet its obligations to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regardless of its ability to meet the Statutory Obligation to Provide Official Grain Inspection and Weighing Services at Export Port Locations.
5. Make the Delegation of Authority Agreements Uniform, Transparent and Consistent.

A copy of the joint statement can be found here.