10.162 Inspection Grading and Standardization

Provision of Specialized Services

Profit Organization

A--Agriculture

A-Marketing

       (Agricultural Fair Practices Act)

 

FEDERAL AGENCY: AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION: Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 7 U.S.C. 1622a- J, 1-n; Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act, 7 U.S.C. 473d; Cotton Futures Act, 7 U.S.C. 15b; Cotton Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 51-65; Naval Stores Act, 7 U.S.C. 91-99; Tobacco Inspection Act, 7 U.S.C. 511 i-q; Wool Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 415b-d; Egg Products Inspection Act, Public Law 91-597, 21 U.S.C. 1031-1056; Dairy and Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983, 7 U.S.C. 4501-4513; Tobacco Statistics Act, 7 U.S.C. 501-508; Food Security Act of 1985, as amended.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and apply standards of quality and condition for agricultural commodities; to participate and assist in the development of international agricultural standards; and to conduct quarterly inspections of egg handlers and hatcheries.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Provision of Specialized Services.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: USDA grades are used by the owners of agricultural commodities and by dealers in these commodities to Hatcheries and shell egg handlers, except for producer-packers with an annual production from 3,000 hens or less packing for the retail consumer are required to be checked quarterly to determine the disposition of certain undergrade eggs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility: Any owner of or dealer in agricultural commodities who (a) has a financial interest in the commodity to be graded and (b) is located within the United States and its Territories. All hatcheries and shell egg handlers having an annual production from 3,000 or more hens who pack for the retail consumer and are located within the U.S. or its Territories.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Buyers and sellers of agricultural commodities. Shell egg handlers having an annual production from 3000 or more hens who pack for the retail consumer and are located in the U.S. or its Territories.

Credentials/Documentation: None.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure: Request for grading of a commodity must be submitted to local AMS grading office in writing.  Eligible hatcheries apply for registration by contacting:  Chief, Poultry Grading Branch, Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

Award Procedure: Eligible hatcheries and shell egg handlers must complete registration forms.

Deadlines: None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not applicable.

Appeals: In cases in which applicants do not agree with the grade given, they may appeal for a review of the grade to the local AMS office.

Renewals: Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: None.

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of  7 CFR Part 3052, which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year.  Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.

Records: None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification: 12-2500-0-1-352; 12-9972-0-7-352.

Obligations: FY 99 $162,142,618; FY 00 est $172,880,000; and FY 01 est $172,880,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Number of bales of cotton classed in (thousands) fiscal year 1999, 19,003; fiscal year 2000, estimate 12,924; and fiscal year 2001 estimate, 15,329.  Number of tobacco auction markets inspected fiscal year 1999, 117; fiscal year 2000, estimate 116; and fiscal year 2001, estimate 114.  Pounds of imported and domestic tobacco inspected in (millions) fiscal year 1999, 2,259; fiscal year 2000, estimate 2,034; and fiscal year 2001, estimate 2,034. Pounds of poultry products graded (in millions) fiscal year 1999, 14,365; fiscal year 2000, 14,200; and fiscal year 2001, 14,200. Pounds of meat graded or accepted (in millions) fiscal year 1999, 36,048; fiscal year 2000, estimate 35,800; and fiscal year 2001, estimate 36,000. Shell eggs grading (mil. dz.) fiscal year 1999, 1,959; fiscal year 2000, estimate 2,025; and fiscal year 2001, estimate 1,950. Processed fruit and vegetable grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 1999, 14,300; fiscal year 2000, estimate 14,300; and fiscal year 2001, estimate 14,300. Fresh fruit and vegetable grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 1999, 85,000; fiscal year 2000, estimate 85,000; and fiscal year 2001, estimate 85,000. Livestock grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 1999, 30; fiscal year 2000, estimate 30; and fiscal year 2001, estimate 30. Dairy products grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 1999, 1,100; fiscal year 2000, estimate 970; and fiscal year 2001, estimate 970.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: 7 CFR 26-32, 41-70, 160- 171, 205; AH-533, "USDA Standards for Food and Farm Products;" Marketing Bulletin No. 37, "The Story of Cotton;"  "Annual Report on Tobacco Statistics, AH-566,  The Classification of Cotton;" Misc. Pub. No. 867, "Tobacco in the U.S.;"  quarterly report-- "Tobacco Stocks Reports as of Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, and Oct. 1;"  MS-82, "Cotton Testing Service;" AMS-180 MB-41, "Market News Service on Cotton; " MB-43, 7 CFR 2851, 2852, 2853, 2855, 2856, 2858, 2870, 28171; AH-341, "USDA Standards for Food and Farm Products." AH-31, "Poultry Grading Manual."  AH-75, "Egg Grading Manual."  Egg and Egg Products Inspection Regulations (7 CFR Part 2859); POB-FL-33, Tobacco Market Review for Flue-cured; POB-LA-34, Tobacco Market Review for Burley; POB-LA-33, Tobacco Market Review for Fire and Dark Air.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office: Local Agricultural Marketing Service inspection, grading, and classing offices are listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office: Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone:  (202) 720-4276.  Use the same number for FTS.  Contact:  Dr. Ken Clayton.

RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Not applicable.