Inspection Grading and Standardization (10.162)

Program

10.162 Inspection Grading and Standardization

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Agricultural Marketing Service

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.

Program Number

10.162

Last Known Status

Active

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 3,000 or more hens who pack for the retail consumer and are located in the U.S. or its Territories.

Credentials/Documentation

No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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

Not Applicable.

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

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Duration of agreements. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: N/A.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Audits

Not Applicable.

Records

None.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Number of samples of cotton classed in (thousands) fiscal year 2008, 18,300. Kilograms of imported and domestic tobacco inspected in (millions) fiscal year 2008, 84. Pounds of poultry products graded (in millions) fiscal year 2008, 8,500. Pounds of meat graded or accepted (in millions) fiscal year 2008, 21,200. Shell eggs graded (mil. dz.) fiscal year 2008, 1,850. Processed fruit and vegetable grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2008, 14,900. Fresh fruit and vegetable grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2008, 58,000. Dairy products grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2008, 920. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-8015-0-7-352; 12-2500-0-1-352.

Obligations

(Salaries) FY 08 $203,825,000; FY 09 est $203,584,000; FY 10 est $209,446,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

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 October 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.

Related Programs

10.500 Cooperative Extension Service

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Local Agricultural Marketing Service inspection, grading, and classing offices are listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

David Shipman 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Phone: 202-720-4276

Web Site Address

http://www.ams.usda.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.