03/13/06 Better oversight of GIPSA urged

American Rancher March 13, 2006 Somebody has to ride roughshod over USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, GIPSA. That's basically what the acting director of the General Accountability Office told the Senate Ag Committee late last week. The panel held a hearing on the recent USDA Inspector General's report which found GIPSA was failing to enforce laws designed to protect livestock and poultry producers from unfair, deceptive or anti-competitive market practices. James Link, who has only been GIPSA Administrator since last October, told the Senate Committee his agency is implementing recommendations made by the OIG. But Daniel Bertoni of the GAO told Senators such promises have been made by USDA before. Bertoni: "Given its lack of progress in implementing report recommendations dating back nearly a decade continued vigilance and monitoring by the OIG and other oversight entities will be essential. Beyond increased monitoring GIPSA's success will also require sustained management and commitment that has thus far been elusive. However, we believe such a focus is necessary and will ultimately result in a more vigilant and skillful federal presence." At the conclusion of last week's hearing, Senate Ag Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss told Administrator Link to report back in writing in 90 days on the progress of implementation of recommended changes at the agency. Chambliss wants to know in 30 days what happened to a top to bottom review of GIPSA then Ag Secretary Veneman said was being conducted in 2003 but hasn't been heard about since. I'm Bob Hoff.