by Carrie G. Amezcua

Earlier this week, The Tribune (Greely, Colorado) published the article below discussing proposed changes to livestock marketing rules.  The article discusses the pros and cons of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration proposed rule – commonly referred to as the GIPSA rule.  

"New rules were mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill, which required the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct rulemaking that ‘improves fairness in the marketing of livestock and poultry.’"

The rule aims to promote fairness and transparency, and would make it easier for a plaintiff to bring a case under the Packers & Stockyards Act by no longer requiring that the plaintiff  first show harm to competition in a complaint alleging certain unfair trade practices.  However, critics say that the changes will promote unnecessary litigation and would result in anywhere from 22,800 to 104,000 jobs lost.

Comments on the new rule were due November 22, 2010 and are currently being reviewed.  However, on January 21, 2011, the USDA published one change to their regulations requiring testing of scales twice per year, at defined 6 month intervals. 

More information on GIPSA  and the 2008 Farm Bill can be found here: https://www.gipsa.usda.gov/GIPSA/webapp?area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing

Proposed changes in livestock marketing rules prompt fears, confusion
Link to article:  https://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20110123/NEWS/701229893/1002&parentprofile=1




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