USDA waives inspection and weighing for containerized grain exports

USDA waives inspection and weighing for containerized grain exports    USDA waives inspection and weighing for containerized grain exports U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration will waive the mandatory inspection and weighing requirements for specialty grains exported in containers. The agency said the rule is consistent with the U.S. Grain Standards Act, and will be in effect for a maximum of five years. "These waivers are provided for grain exported for seeding purposes, grain shipped in bond, grain exported by rail or truck to Canada or Mexico, grain not sold by grade, for exporters and individual elevator operators shipping less than 15,000 metric tons during the current and preceding calendar year, and when service is not available or in emergency situations," the agency said. "Containerization allows the producer or processor to extend control of the product from the field to customer, rather than fields to local terminal elevators or export port elevators where commingling can occur," the agency added. However, the agency noted an increase in specialty grains being shipped in volumes exceeding 15,000 metric tons. These shipments must be inspected and weighed under the guidelines of the U.S. Grain Standards Act.