Comments on: USDA Closes Some Doors

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:00:31 +0000

let’s also not forget the closings in Tennessee and Kentucky.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:40:12 +0000

don’t forget that New Orleans also was closed. and that market used to have 4 inspectors.

By: hendrick

hendrick — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:46:59 +0000

Let’s get the facts straight. No negativity, just facts. Then we can all decide, truthfully, where the inspection service is headed.
Backstep to the year 1990. How many field offices, that had federal, not state inspectors were there? If someone has an old address book they will be able to give us a count.
Fact: In 1990 the following offices had at least one federal inspector.
1. Buffalo
2. El Paso
3. Salt Lake City
4. Little Rock
5. Charleston
6. Providence
7. Baltimore
8. Columbus
9. Harrisburg

ALL of these offices have since closed. Not to mention how many of the current “open” offices have reductions in field inspectors. Hint: At least 10 offices now work with less inspectors than they did in 1990.

Bottom Line: Closing doors and reducing the availability of federal inspectors and NOT the costs of inspections are the reasons, I feel, are adding to the decrease in service. Shippers still want and are willing to pay for inspections, but their just aren’t enough field inspectors left to go out there and get the job done.

I am READY for the comments to my thoughts and will respond to facts, etc. Not trying to be negative. Just trying to understand in what direction the service is heading before its too late. So lets get the comments coming and the discussions going and maybe we can do some constructive help for keeping alive a very, very, very valuable service to the industry!

By: olden timer

olden timer — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:34:30 +0000

How long does it take to cook the books these days? I am waiting for my copy of the Financials. A FOIA is around the corner! So we (each and every one of us) can see all the good news. O.T.

By: Annon

Annon — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:32:48 +0000

So the Hunt’s Point market was in the black last year, eh? That’s a good one! It’s also contrary to every quarterly report put out by HQ in the last 4 years or so. So save the smoke-n-mirrors rhetoric. (I never thought I ever get to use the term “Voo Doo Economics” again, but…..)

Face it, FPB has priced themselves right out of the market. Any applicant with a high speed internet connection and a digital camera (their own, not one they pay FPB an outrageous fee per photo) can pretty much get their message across to any shipper in the world. Produce handlers, both shippers and receivers, have also done a great job of educating themselves on standards, procedures, PACA rules and regulations, etc. The trend seems to suggest the produce industry has begun to police itself. What with the outrageous fee increases by FPB, it’s no wonder.

So, with all of this in mind, I don’t think anything “is the matter here.” While some of the comments may be negative, they are factual and to the point. Get over it. As the old saying goes, “The truth will set you free.” (Just as FPB’s management policies appear to be setting a lot of inspector’s free – from the employment roles).

By: Layne Marlow

Layne Marlow — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:31:42 +0000

Hello Tom!

The Texas Cooperative Inspection Program has placed an Inspector in the El Paso area several months ago. We are rotating our Inspectors while in the process of filling that full time position within.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:12:57 +0000

What is the matter here. Can this site only show the negative? says a lot.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:01:47 +0000

Get your facts straight. The OIC from Hunts Point is leaving voluntarily to advance her career. Last year that office was in the Black as well.

You must be out of the loop.

By: olden timer

olden timer — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:16:39 +0000

Have I been out of the loop!!!! To anonymous Aug. 7 12:17. If all you are doing is hanging on you should be turned in for waste! Talk like that goes against all ethical practices and behavior. Like one of the guys used to say. “Mistle toe hanging from my belt, and they can kiss ……. good bye if they don’t like it. ” It is time to go.

By: tyawman

tyawman — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:18:53 +0000

New York State Department of Agriculture currently handles the inspection requests in Albany (including Orange County), Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. Taking on Hunts Point would be a daunting task, but if they took on the financial responsibility of Hunts Point the USDA would free itself of this market. I don’t think NYS will be as generous as New Mexico and rescue the USDA.

Yes, the current OIC from Hunts Point is being replaced. The job vacancy announcement for that position should be posted on http://www.usajobs.gov soon. Also the OIC position in Los Angeles is still vacant, from when the OIC retired in January 2009.