Senate Ag Committee Reauthorizes Grain Standards Act

On May 21, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee reauthorized the U.S Grains Standards Act, which includes an amendment that could grant better access for U.S. farmers to Canadian wheat and barley markets. This bill reaffirms the ability of the Federal Grain Inspection Service to inspect grain quality, ensuring that grading is compliant with the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization. It will also determine if grain producers in other countries are receiving “official grading” in the U.S. and whether those countries are offering official grading to U.S. producers in return. The bill will also require a six month study to determine the impacts to the grain industry resulting from disruptions at Pacific Northwest ports last year due to labor disputes and make note of changes that have been implemented to ensure such disruptions do not re-occur in the future.