02/17/06 USDA Inspector General`s audit

USDA Inspector General's Audit One segment of the USDA just got a very poor report card. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back right after this with some comments. On January 18th the USDA Inspector General's investigation and report on the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration revealed the agency is not doing it's job and is in need of serious reform. GIPSA's job is investigating complaints of anticompetitive practices such as price manipulation or restriction of competition and making sure livestock sellers are paid promptly. The investigation initiated by Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa was started last year and proved what many producers and ranchers have thought and said for yearsPackers and Stockyards Administration was not administrating. The report states the agency would not let employees pursue complaints of anticompetitive markets, but was falsifying numbers of investigations being conducted to give the appearance of an efficient administration. The audit revealed P. and S. showed 1842 open investigations, but couldn't say where 1799 of those cases were being worked on. It was also discovered 50 investigations were being held up by the deputy administrator and not sent on to agency attorneys. This sounds like a pretty comprehensive audit of the Packers and Stockyards Administration. Maybe this time some much needed housecleaning and reform will actually be accomplished. I'm Jeff Keane. Capital Press 1/27/06 Western Livestock Reporter 1/25/06