Timely Service and Open Season Pilot Programs

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

Timely Service and Open Season Pilot Programs

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

(GIPSA), Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: GIPSA is currently running two pilot programs, ``timely

service'' and ``open season,'' under one of the 1993 amendments to the

United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (Act). This amendment

provides that GIPSA may conduct pilot programs allowing more than one

official agency to provide official services within a single geographic

area. GIPSA started the two pilot programs on November 1, 1995, and

they will end on October 31, 1996. Effective November 1, 1996, GIPSA is

extending both the ``timely service'' and ``open season'' pilot

programs to October 31, 1999, to collect and analyze additional

information. In addition, GIPSA is modifying the ``open season'' pilot

program to allow more open participation. GIPSA also is considering

other pilot programs or program changes intended to address the

concerns of both the grain industry and official agencies and will

announce and solicit comments on any such proposals at a later date.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: USDA, GIPSA, Neil E. Porter, Director, Compliance Division,

STOP 3604, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, DC 20250-3604.

Internet and GroupWise users may respond to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil E. Porter, telephone 202-720-

8262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Sections 7(f) and 7A of the Act was amended by the U.S. Grain

Standards Act Amendments of 1993 (Public Law 103-156) on November 24,

1993, to authorize GIPSA's Administrator to conduct pilot programs

allowing more than one official agency to provide official services

within a single geographic area without undermining the declared policy

of the Act. The purpose of the pilot programs is to evaluate the impact

of allowing more than one official agency to provide official services

within a single geographic area.

GIPSA considered several possible pilot programs as announced in

the March 14, 1994, Federal Register (59 FR 11759) and the March 10,

1995, Federal Register (60 FR 13113). In the September 27, 1995,

Federal Register (60 FR 49828), GIPSA announced the following two pilot

programs starting on November 1, 1995, and ending on October 31, 1996.

1. Timely Service. This pilot program allows official agencies to

provide official services to facilities outside their assigned

geographic area on a case-by-case basis when these official services

cannot be provided in a timely manner by the official agency designated

to serve that area.

2. Open Season. This pilot program allows official agencies an open

season during which they may offer their services to facilities outside

their assigned geographic area where no official sample-lot or official

weighing services have been provided in the previous 6 months.

GIPSA has evaluated these two pilot programs and discussed them

with official agency and grain industry representatives. Grain industry

representatives contacted unanimously support continuing these two

pilot programs. Some said that service improved after the pilot

programs were proposed. Others commented that the ``open season'' 6-

month waiting period should be eliminated or reduced. Official agency

comments ranged from no significant objection to continuation of the

pilot programs, to opposition to any pilot programs because they would

have an adverse impact on the integrity of the official inspection

system.

GIPSA believes that there has been no adverse impact on the

official inspection system by the ``timely service'' pilot program, and

in view of the comments received, is extending the ``timely service''

pilot program to October 31, 1999, to provide GIPSA with additional

information. The ``timely service'' provisions would remain the same as

announced in the September 27, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR 49828).

GIPSA also believes that the ``open season'' pilot program has had

no adverse impact on the official inspection system and in view of

grain industry comments and recognizing official agency concerns, is

modifying and extending the ``open season'' pilot program until to

October 31, 1999, to provide GIPSA with additional information. Under

the revised ``open season'' program, official agencies would be able to

offer their services to facilities outside their assigned geographic

area where no official sample-lot or official weighing services have

been provided in the previous 3 months. This should allow more

participation in the program. Under the current pilot program, no

official sample-lot or official weighing services could have been

provided in the previous 6 months. The other ``open season'' provisions

will remain the same as announced in the September 27, 1995, Federal

Register (60 FR 49828).

GIPSA will continue to monitor and evaluate the ``timely service''

and ``open season'' programs. If, at any time, GIPSA determines that

either program is having a negative impact on the official system or is

not working as intended, the programs may be modified or discontinued.

Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C.

71 et seq.)

Dated: September 27, 1996

Neil E. Porter

Director, Compliance Division

[FR Doc. 96-25277 Filed 10-2-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-EN-F