USDA Proposes New Rule to Clarify Unfair Livestock Practices | The powerful 790 KFGO

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new measures to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to make the meat and poultry supply chain fairer, more competitive, and more resilient. USDA’s Proposed Rule for Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets would address long-standing challenges related to interpretations of unfairness and competitive harm for the livestock, meat and poultry sectors. poultry. This will support farmers and producers and continue President Biden’s work to lower food costs for consumers.

Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during an event at the Center for American Progress showcasing the Administration’s agenda to create more affordable and competitive agricultural markets.

“Farmers, ranchers, consumers and small processors all depend on the Packers & Stockyards Act to protect them from bad market actors,” said Andy Green, USDA senior advisor for fair and competitive markets. “It is time to provide the regulatory clarity and simplicity needed to stop unfair behavior that harms the market or harms market participants.”

Specifically, the rule provides clearer tests and frameworks regarding unfair practices that harm individual market participants and unfair practices that harm markets as a whole.

The proposal is based on extensive USDA administrative jurisprudence and builds on precedent established under other unfair practices laws. The proposal follows well-understood approaches to unfair practices and unfair methods of competition.

The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register for public comment. After publication, the public can submit comments on Rules.gov for 60 days. All comments submitted will be considered as USDA develops a final rule. The final rule will be published in the Federal Register.

USDA Press Release