Terminal market inspections: Part Three

In a previous post, I talked about the $90 charge we got socked with in conjunction with a FOIA request from AMS. Behind that mini-rant about bureaucracy, there is another story. I had requested the number of terminal market inspections performed by USDA AMS Fresh Products Branch over the past five years. Apparently, these numbers aren't available with a couple of key strokes, but rather maintained at each of the terminal markets. I've never seen these numbers presented to the fruit and vegetable advisory committee. Don't ask me why.

Here is what was reported, representing the totals of inspected lots at all terminal markets over the past five plus years:
2001 209,293
2002 211,750
2003 212,673
2004 192,117
2005 186,527
2006 155,277 (through 12/21)

These numbers bring up some important questions. Do these numbers include off market inspections? Is the way the trade uses fruit and vegetable inspections changing? Do large buyers/retailers manage more of their own inspections with in-house staff? Is the industry satisfied with the service of AMS inspectors? How can escalating costs of the service (set in motion at 15% fee increases each year) be stemmed with the downward trend in lots inspected?

This merits further reporting in The Packer. I also welcome any and all thoughts, including further clarification from the industry and USDA officials who visit the blog.