National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson this week urged the Senate to pass a clean reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act, calling the current system “the world’s gold standard.”

“Today’s framework, overseen by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), is the world’s gold standard and our export partners have faith in that standard,” said Johnson in a letter to Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. “For a penny a bushel we have a cost-effective system that ensures consistency, reliability and accuracy. Our members have faith in the current system and as such request a clean reauthorization of the Grain Standards Act for a period of no less than 10 years.”

Johnson highlighted the continued drive towards privatization of the U.S. grain inspection system, a move that would weaken the strong reputation of U.S. exporters.

“The most concerning issue for our members is the continued drive towards the privatization of our grain inspection system,” said Johnson. “This nation’s trading partners trust the existing system, and changes to this system that result in inspections being conducted by entities other than the federal government or a delegated state agency would diminish the trust that has taken decades to build.” [Read more…]