E5-6700. Designation of Columbus (OH) to Provide Class X or Class Y Weighing Services

AGENCY:

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, (USDA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

GIPSA announces the designation of Columbus Grain Inspection, Inc. (Columbus), to provide Class X or Class Y weighing services under the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (Act).

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 1, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

USDA, GIPSA, Janet M. Hart, Chief, Review Branch, Compliance Division, STOP 3604, Room 1647-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Janet M. Hart, at 202-720-8525, e-mail [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866 and Departmental Regulation 1512-1; therefore, the Executive Order and Departmental Regulation do not apply to this action.

In the December 1, 2004, Federal Register (69 FR9883), GIPSA announced the designation of Columbus to provide official inspection services under the Act, effective January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2007. Subsequently, Columbus asked GIPSA to amend their designation to include official weighing services. Section 7A(c)(2) of the Act authorizes GIPSA's Administrator to designate authority to perform official weighing to an agency providing official inspection services within a specified geographic area, if such agency is qualified under section 7(f)(1)(A) of the Act. GIPSA evaluated all available information regarding the designation criteria in section 7(f)(1)(A) of the Act, and determined that Columbus is qualified to provide official weighing services in their currently assigned geographic area.

Effective October 1, 2005, and terminating December 31,2007 (the end of Columbus's designation to provide official inspection services), Columbus's present designation is amended to include Class X or Class Y weighing within their assigned geographic area, as specified in the June 1, 2004, Federal Register (69FR 30869). Official services may be obtained by contacting Columbus at 740-474-3519.

Authority: Pub.L. 94-582, 90Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C. 71 et seq.).

David R. Shipman,

Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.