June 17, 2011

US meat groups support vote against GIPSA funding

US meat industry associations complimented the US House of Representatives yesterday (Jun 16) for voting against funding for livestock marketing rules given by USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA).

The National Pork Producers Council, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Turkey Federation, the American Meat Institute and the National Meat Association reported from Washington that the House voted 217-203 yesterday to pass legislation that funds USDA, FDA and related agencies for fiscal 2012 but denies money for GIPSA to promulgate its rules.

The groups strongly oppose the proposed rules, which they argue overstep the intent of Congress as the legislature expressed in the 2008 Farm Bill. The rules would make it easier for livestock and poultry producers to claim unfair treatment from meatpackers and discourage market arrangements that the groups contend have resulted in better products for consumers.

The groups said they hope the Senate will vote the same way.