Louisiana Rice Miller Appointed to Grain Inspection Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON, DC -- Philip Bertrand, general manager of Farmers Rice Milling Company (FRM) in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has been appointed to serve as an alternate to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (GIAC) by Secretary Sonny Perdue.

The committee advises USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) on the programs and services it delivers under the U.S. Grain Standards Act.  Recommendations by the committee help AMS to better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.

“I’m honored to be appointed to this position to represent the rice industry on the GIAC,” said Bertrand.  “It’s important that we have a seat at the table to make sure our voice is heard on issues related to grain standards.”

The Grain Inspection Advisory Committee is comprised of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture who represent all segments of the grain industry.  They include grain producers, processors, merchandisers, handlers, exporters, consumers, grain inspection agencies, and scientists.