[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 193 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 51674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25277]


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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