Reauthorizing the Grain Standards Act

Reauthorizing the Grain Standards Act

Reauthorizing the Grain Standards Act. I'm Greg Martin with Colorado Ag Today.

Every few years the Grain Standards Act get reauthorized and during the process there's usually debate on whether to change certain aspects of it. The Act governs grain inspections for export and authorizes the Federal Grain Inspection Service. Darrell Hanavan, Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers says they hope to keep things status quo.

HANAVAN: The Federal Grain Inspection Service is the official grain inspection agency and so that means that all of the inspections are done by federal employees. Now in some states they've authorized private entities to do that kind of work, to serve as the official grain inspection agency in the state but it's under the supervision of the U.S. government.

The National Association of Wheat Growers is opposed to allowing inspections by private entities.

HANAVAN: I think that they probably fear there could be an abuse if a private entity does it. Fifty percent of U.S. wheat is exported. Our trading partners want to make sure there's a level playing field and they have confidence in the U.S. government to do the inspections but I don;'t think they have the same confidence with a private entity.

The reauthorization is under consideration by both chambers of Congress.

HANAVAN: We have a system now that works. U.S. farmers and foreign buyers, they have confidence in the system. Our quality is our reputation.

And that's Colorado Ag Today. I'm Greg Martin, thanks for listening on the Ag Information Network of the West.

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