Review Inspection Requirements for Graded Commodities

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is amending the regulations under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA), as amended, to allow interested persons to specify the quality factor(s) that would be redetermined during an appeal inspection or a Board appeal inspection for grade. Currently, both appeal and Board appeal inspections for grade must include a redetermination (i.e., a complete review or examination) of all official factors that may determine the grade, as reported on the original certificate, or as required to be shown. Requiring that all quality factors be completely reexamined during an appeal or Board appeal inspection for grade is not efficient, is time consuming, and can be costly. Further, a detailed review of the preceding inspection service is not always needed to confirm the quality of the commodity. This action will allow interested parties to specify which quality factor(s) should be redetermined during the appeal or Board appeal inspection service.