As the Senate Committee of Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry prepared to mark-up reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) on May 21, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and other farm organizations met with staff for both the Committee and the House Committee on Agriculture, regarding possible amendments to their respective versions of the legislation.

A copy of the draft Senate bill, obtained by ASA, indicates that the current statutory requirement that the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) take over official export inspection and weighing if a delegated state agency withdraws services, would be strengthened and combined with daily reporting requirements to Congress. This language responds to the suspension of inspection services by the Washington State Department of Agriculture at the Port of Vancouver last summer, and the subsequent decision by the FGIS to not step in, even though it is required to do so.  The House Committee marked-up its version of the USGSA reauthorization two weeks ago.

Earlier this month, American Soybean Association (ASA) Director Bill Gordon testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Washington, calling on the committee to help ensure that grain inspections under the Grain Standards Act remain both mandatory and continuous, even in the event of a work stoppage due to strike or lockout. Gordon’s testimony was a response to several high-profile work stoppages that disrupted the flow of grain through the supply chain last year.

ASA will continue to be closely involved in efforts to reconcile differences between the Senate and House bills in the coming weeks.