Inspection Grading and Standardization
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
Number of bales of cotton classed in (thousands) fiscal year 2004, 18,306; fiscal year 2005, estimate 20,193; and fiscal year 2006 estimate, 17,726. Number of tobacco auction markets inspected fiscal year 2004, 100; fiscal year 2005, estimate 80; and fiscal year 2006, estimate 0. Pounds of imported and domestic tobacco inspected in (millions) fiscal year 2004, 1,246; fiscal year 2005, estimate 466; and fiscal year 2006, estimate 60. Pounds of poultry products graded (in millions) fiscal year 2004, 12,623; fiscal year 2005, 12,886; and fiscal year 2006, 13,102. Pounds of meat graded or accepted (in millions) fiscal year 2004, 39,745; fiscal year 2005, estimate 40,000; and fiscal year 2006, estimate 40,500. Shell eggs grading (mil. dz.) fiscal year 2004, 2,620; fiscal year 2005, estimate 2,690; and fiscal year 2006, estimate 2,750. Processed fruit and vegetable grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2004, 20,131; fiscal year 2005, estimate 20,250; and fiscal year 2006, estimate 20,500. Fresh fruit and vegetable grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2004, 76,000; fiscal year 2005, estimate 72,200; and fiscal year 2006, estimate 70,000. Livestock grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2004, 40; fiscal year 2005, estimate 40; and fiscal year 2006, estimate 40. Dairy products grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2004, 1,600; fiscal year 2005, estimate 1,560; and fiscal year 2006, estimate 1,570.
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
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
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 Procedures
Eligible hatcheries and shell egg handlers must complete registration forms.
Deadlines
None.
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.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
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
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
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 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations; nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 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; 12-8015-0-7-352.
Obigations
FY 07 $192,129,000; FY 08 est $198,132,000; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
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.
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. Contact: Dr. Ken Clayton.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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