GIPSA and AMS to merge

Following a May announcement of reorganization, last week saw the USDA announce that the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) will be merged into the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). “Currently, GIPSA and AMS both carry out grading activities and work to ensure fair trade practices,” noted the USDA statement of the merger. “Specific to fair trade practice work, the new structure will contain a program area composed of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Program and the Packers and Stockyards Program, as well as some other regulatory activities AMS is currently directed to carry out. In addition, this new program area will have the responsibility to carry out Warehouse Act functions currently being provided by FSA.” This combination was said to have been motivated by a desire to “improve customer service and maximize efficiency.”