Vilsack Speaks on UGC Grain Inspector Safety

United Grain Corporation Terminal at the Port of Vancouver remains without grain inspectors. July 6th was the last day that Washington State Patrol officers escorted Washington Department of Agriculture’s grain inspectors in and out of the facility. Yesterday on a press conference call with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, he shared his concerns
Vilsack: “The Washington State inspectors have been pulled because to safety concerns. I think it is incumbent upon me to be sure that any decision we make relative to inspectors is done with the safety of those inspectors in mind. I’ll tell you I’m concerned about the fact that Washington State made this decision. In terms of why they made it they must obviously conclude that conditions aren’t as safe as they need to be. That is the primary concern I have for the folks who work. I know there is increased traffic in a number of other ports where this is not an issue. Hopefully this gets work out and we’re not going to be confronted with putting folks in an unsafe circumstance and condition.”
Meanwhile wheat growers continue to harvest and bring in their bounty and wait to see if this issue is resolved. With nearly 40 percent of all U.S. wheat shipped to Japan coming from this terminal, I certainly hope it is resolved soon.