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March 24, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) remains committed to delivering timely services necessary for facilitating the movement of America’s food supply and will continue to take steps to meet challenges due to the COVID-19 national emergency. With respect to inspection and weighing services rendered through the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), AMS is sharing the following contingency plan to provide guidance to its staff and customers:
In response to COVID-19, FGIS will:
- Ensure employees understand and adhere to appropriate safety guidelines as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All USDA employees have received guidance on protocols, preventative measures and mitigation guidelines regarding COVID-19. As always, AMS personnel, including inspectors, are instructed to stay home if they are ill. In addition, employees who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 have been instructed to stay home.
- Implement mitigating strategies to reduce risk of exposure, such as: modifying standard work practices as appropriate; providing personal protective equipment (e.g., latex gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, as well as cleaning supplies); allowing staff screenings at grain elevator locations.
- Continue to deliver inspection and weighing services. Staff providing these services in areas with closures will be equipped with credentials authorizing them as essential personnel.
- Work closely with customers to ensure consistent communication about service issues. If needed, AMS is prepared to remedy any possible disruptions in services. For example, FGIS may enlist employees from other parts of the agency (including interior field offices, headquarters, and support divisions), Delegated States (DS) or Official Agencies (OAs) to assist with providing services. If these measures cannot be taken, FGIS will inform customers of alternative options.
We are committed to providing valuable and timely services to our customers. We will keep you apprised of any changes or further alterations in our operations.
Federal Grain Inspection Service
Agricultural Marketing Service
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