04/05/06 USDA`s GIPSA reform

USDA GIPSA Reform? The USDA has said it will make changes in policies of the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with some information and comments. A little over a month ago, I told you about an investigation into the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration's failure to investigate complaints of anticompetitive practices in the livestock industry. Well, the USDA is saying it will initiate reforms in GIPSA to rectify these failures. The Senate Ag Committee is saying the USDA will have 90 days to prove changes have been made. One change has been made voluntarily  JoAnn Waterfield, deputy administrator of Packers and Stockyard program resigned abruptly before the audit was released. Inspector General Phyllis Fong said Waterfield committed gross mismanagement but not criminal conduct. I guess Ms. Waterfield quit because she didn't want any part of reforms. The USDA has promised changes after two previous investigations over this same issue  one in 1997 and again in 2000. The Office of Inspector General's last probe showed reforms had not been carried out. The USDA's proposed corrections of four concerns in the OIG's audit seemed vague and mostly just words to me. If Senate Ag Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss feels this way in 90 days he has threatened to call the USDA back to Capital Hill. I'll keep you informed. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Livestock Report 3/15/06 Beef March 2006