[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54761-54762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26913]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Designation for the Aberdeen (SD) Area and the State of Missouri

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: GIPSA announces the designation of Aberdeen Grain Inspection, 
Inc. (Aberdeen), and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (Missouri) 
to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards 
Act, as amended (Act).

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: USDA, GIPSA, Janet M. Hart, Chief, Review Branch, Compliance 
Division, STOP 3604, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 
20250-3604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet M. Hart, telephone 202-720-8525.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    This action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or 
regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866 and Departmental 
Regulation 1512-1; therefore, the Executive Order and Departmental 
Regulation do not apply to this action.
    In the May 30, 1996, Federal Register (61 FR 27045), GIPSA asked 
persons interested in providing official services in the geographic 
areas assigned to Aberdeen and Missouri to submit an application for 
designation. Applications were due by June 29, 1996. There were three 
applicants: Aberdeen applied for designation to provide official 
services in the entire area currently assigned to them. Missouri 
applied for designation to provide official services in the entire area 
currently assigned to them, and Grain Belt Inspection Service (Grain 
Belt), an organization to be formed by Larry and Peggy Aschermann that 
plans to establish its main office in Jefferson City, Missouri, applied 
for designation to provide official services in the area currently 
assigned to Missouri.
    Since Aberdeen was the only applicant for the Aberdeen area, GIPSA 
did not ask for comments on the applicant. GIPSA requested comments on 
the applicants for the Missouri area in the August 1, 1996, Federal 
Register (61 FR 40192). Comments were due by September 2, 1996. GIPSA 
received 43 comments by the deadline.
    Thirty-five comments; 7 grain firms currently served by Missouri, 1 
official agency, 2 grain associations, 11 State government officials, 2 
farm organizations, and 12 individuals, supported designation of 
Missouri. These comments noted with satisfaction Missouri's past 
performance of official services, experience in providing official 
services, and overall good service. Many of the comments were of the 
view that Missouri was best able to continue to provide official 
services. Seven comments, 3 grain firms, 3 nongrain businesses, and 1 
individual supported designation of Grain Belt based on their view that 
Grain Belt was qualified to provide official services, that grain 
inspection services should be privatized, and their concerns about the 
fees charged and the cost of official services provided by Missouri.
    One commentor asked for information.
    Six additional comments were received after the due date and these 
comments did not differ significantly from previously received 
comments.
    GIPSA evaluated all available information regarding the designation 
criteria in Section 7(f)(l)(A) of the Act; and according to Section 
7(f)(l)(B), determined that Aberdeen is able to provide official 
services in the geographic area for which they applied,

[[Page 54762]]

and that Missouri is better able than any other applicant to provide 
official services in the geographic area for which they applied. 
Effective December 1, 1996, and ending November 30, 1999, Aberdeen and 
Missouri are designated to provide official services in the geographic 
areas specified in the May 30, 1996, Federal Register.
    Interested persons may obtain official services by contacting 
Aberdeen at 605-225-8432 and Missouri at 375-751-5515.

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

    Dated: October 15, 1996
Neil E. Porter
Director, Compliance Division
[FR Doc. 96-26913 Filed 10-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-F