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Livestock, poultry groups concerned about GIPSA rulemaking

The USDA is going ahead with the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act rules first proposed in 2010.  U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the rules have been revised since 2010 tightening regulations on livestock and poultry contracting.  The agency is getting pushback from groups representing cattle, hog and chicken producers.

“Basically this is the federal government deciding what is fair or unfair in cattle markets,” said Colin Woodall, vice president of government affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Washington, D.C.  “I think all your listeners will understand, probably the last people in the world that we want determining what is fair is our U.S. government these days.”

The North American Meat Institute, the National Chicken Council and National Pork Producers Council issued statements also opposing the rules.  On the other hand, the National Farmers Union says the rules are past due.  NFU President Roger Johnson says livestock and poultry producers have waited too long for protections against anti-competitive practices.

The three rules, called the Farmer Fair Practices Rules are being reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.  Once that’s done, the USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration will take public comment on the rules.

AUDIO: Colin Woodall (3 min. MP3)