August 2023 Recommendations

FGIS User Fees & Budget

The GIAC would like to thank FGIS for the in-depth report on the FGIS finances. Furthermore, 

the GIAC understands the gravity and urgency of the situation with respect to the depleted 

operating reserve and the shortfall of revenue versus obligations. It is imperative to maintain 

the integrity of the official system since industry along with domestic and international 

customers hold the US official system up as the gold standard. As such, the GIAC 

recommends that FGIS engage industry stakeholders to review the proposed adjustment 

resulting from the periodic fee review and continue to work with industry to identify shortand long-term solutions to address concerns over FGIS user fees and budget.

Key aspects to consider, but not limited to:

• Support streamlining of the budget process for FGIS

• Decoupling tonnage fees from the rest of the Schedule A Fees

• Evaluate the use of the AMS Standard Formula for calculating user fees

• Evaluate the current FGIS Operating Reserve target

GIAC recommends keeping the FGIS User Fees & Budget recommendation open for next GIAC 

meeting to discuss the gathered information.
Fumigation Policy Handbook – Attachment 5 Revision:

The GIAC recommends FGIS adopt the proposed revisions made by Dr. Walse with ARS to the 

Fumigation Policy Handbook Attachment 5. Prior to finalizing the changes FGIS should 

engage APHIS and grain handlers, to ensure there is agreement amongst stakeholders. The 

changes specifically to Table 3 within the Attachment will better facilitate the safe and 

effective fumigation of bulk vessels, which furthers the marketability of U.S. grains. 

Current: Proposed:
Data Standardization Initiative:

In concert with other Technology initiatives within FGIS, the GIAC recommends that the 

following subjects regarding standardization of data be further explored and findings 

reported to the Committee. The scope of data standardization in this recommendation 

includes communication protocols, data formats, units of measure, security protocols, and 

other criteria that facilitate the exchange of data between stakeholders.

• Evaluate and document the current status of previous data standardization initiatives

that are unfinished, their anticipated benefit, and the required work to bring them to 

completion.

• Engage both internal and external stakeholders to aid in identifying potential data 

standardization projects and their perceived benefit.

• Develop a framework for prioritizing and managing data standardization projects to 

ensure progress is made on the appropriate projects and they are closed out in a 

timely manner.

• Assess/identify funding options available to facilitate the above recommendations. 

GIAC recommends keeping the Data Standardization Initiative recommendation open for 

next GIAC meeting to discuss the gathered information to make an informed decision.

Inspection Lab Scale Requirements to e 0.01 grams

The GIAC recommends FGIS gather further information to help determine the proper path 

forward regarding the requirement of lab scale e-values at 0.01 grams. The following 

information is requested before the next GIAC meeting to aid in the committee's decisions 

surrounding a recommendation. 

• Identify and report grains and grading factor/official criteria that could be statistically 

impacted using a laboratory scale for inspection purposes with a 0.1-gram e-value 

versus a 0.01-gram e-value. 

o For example, grading factors requiring calculations to the hundredth on a 

portion size less than 125 grams. 

• Additional data surrounding how often that statistical impact of not requiring 0.01-

gram e-value scales could have on factors that change grade determinations. It is 

thought FGIS could gather data through the Inspection Data Warehouse within 

FGISOnline for the above factors that are +/- 0.1 grams from a grade change. 

• GIAC members will discuss the proposal details with industry sectors to determine 

financial impacts. These figures will be brought to the next meeting for discussion. 

GIAC recommends keeping the inspection lab scale recommendation open for next GIAC 

meeting to discuss the gathered information to make an informed decision.