November 23, 2010

American Meat Institute urges USDA to withdraw livestock marketing rule

The American Meat Institute (AMI) filed November 22 comments urging the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) to withdraw its livestock and poultry marketing proposed rule.

AMI cited the following reasons for its appeal: it exceeds the Congressional mandate in the 2008 Farm Bill; it will eliminate more than 100,000 jobs; it will destroy partnerships between livestock producers and meat companies that have improved product quality; and it will raise meat and poultry prices paid by consumers.

"In addition to exceeding the direction it received from Congress and containing numerous provisions that are legally infirm, GIPSA's proposed rule, if finalised, will cost the meat and poultry industry dearly in jobs, revenue and productivity," said AMI Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel Mark Dopp.

"Unfortunately, GIPSA is hurtling down a path, based on anecdote and innuendo, but with no regard to the truly significant adverse economic and social consequences this rule would have on livestock producers, consumers, and the meat and poultry industry," Dopp added.