Volume 9, Number 3 - August 2003

Several items were discussed at the July Board meeting in Kansas City. The board approved the lowering of dues by 33% for the year 2004. Our annual meeting in Las Vegas was approved and will be held at the Monte Carlo on Jan. 25,26,27.

At the board meeting, the FGIS presented an update on their direction. Items discussed by Dave Shipman included electronic certification, white wheat issues, biotechnology, the financial picture, and the hurdles hindering implementation of IT.

The Central Lab concept is relying on the new IT architecture so not much progress is being made there.

User fees for standardization were not included in the House or Senate. All non-essential travel, training, financial awards, and promotions have been frozen. Fee increases of 4.1% for rice and grain fees were implemented in June and July.

Fremont Grain Inspection Department, Inc. was purchased by Dave Reeder.

Lincoln Inspection Service, Inc. has hired Mark Fulmer as Official Agency Manager.

Lewiston Grain Inspection Service, Inc. is now the service provider for the state of Oregon.

Memphis Grain Inspection is the provider for the state of Mississippi.

Grand Forks and Minnesota are waiting for decisions on their official designations. The satellite offices are doing full reviews.

All directives are being issued in an electronic format to save costs. FGIS current policies allow agencies to maintain electronic copies. The "open season" program is now known as the "nonuse of service" program.

There are proposals for qualitative certification, elimination of stowage exams, picking of smaller portion sizes for factors that will not impact the grade, and review inspections.

David Ayers and Tom Meyer were in Washington D.C. on August 18th to review the requirements for approval of mechanical samplers. Due to the fast load-out capabilities of newly designed facilities, the current method of using a pelican is not practical or safe.

Official agencies may request an exemption from testing a sampler if the following items are provided for review:

1. Detailed drawings and diagrams of the installation. (Provide this information prior to installation)

2. Detailed description of the equipment (primary and secondary samplers) to be installed.

3. A completed questionnaire for proposed diverter-type mechanical sampler.

4. Review by Official agency to ensure sampler was installed according to drawings and that sampler and delivery system is functioning properly.

Send this information, as it becomes available, to the Policies and Procedures Branch and to your local Field Office.

Exemptions are considered based on the merits of the information, the sampler design and location, and the simplicity of the grain flow system. Exemptions will be confirmed in writing by the Field Management Division