General Regulations and Standards for Certain Agricultural Commodities

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is amending the regulations under the Agricultural Marketing Act (Act) of 1946 to allow GIPSA and State cooperators to use contractors to perform specified inspection services. GIPSA has determined that private firms, institutions, and individuals, working under contract with GIPSA field offices and State cooperators, may be able to perform some inspection services, at certain locations, more effectively or at less cost than if those services were performed by Department or State employees. Consequently, GIPSA is amending the regulations to allow GIPSA and State cooperators to contract for service work and to license individual contractors and those employed by contractors.