NPPC Says GIPSA Could Affect Producers

Randall Weiseman Cattle, Livestock, Pork

The House Ag Committee’s livestock subcommittee is holding a series of hearings this week on the livestock economy. One thing of particular concern to pork producers is the proposed USDA rules that relate to buying and selling of livestock.


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USDA is re-proposing parts of the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration, or GIPSA Rule, which was proposed in 2010 to implement parts of the 2008 Farm Bill. National Hog Farmer says the regulations went well beyond what was proposed in the Farm Bill and would have a significant impact on the livestock industry.

An Informa Economics study in 2010 found it would cost the pork industry more than 330 million dollars annually. In the past, Congress included riders in USDA funding bills to prevent finalizing the rule, but no such rider exists in the 2017 funding bill.

A spokeswoman for Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the administration finds opposition to the GIPSA rule “unacceptable.” The administration said the rule is designed to ensure fair treatment to livestock and poultry producers.

The Hagstrom Report says opposition to the rule was heard during testimony this week. North Carolina Republican Representative David Rouzer, said, “It remains unclear why Secretary Vilsack decided to move forward with these costly regulations.”

However, the spokeswoman said the recent GIPSA riders in past USDA funding bills represents “a complete lack of concern for hardworking families. The focus should be on providing a fair marketplace and level playing field for farm families.”