News Update
Nov. 22, 2010

GIPSA Comment Deadline Today

The American Angus Association encourages all Angus farmers and ranchers to submit their comments on USDA’s proposed GIPSA rules, regardless of stance. Click here to submit comments, which are due today by 11:59 p.m. EST. To learn more, click here.

NCBA: Last Chance to Oppose GIPSA Rule

Today, Nov. 22, 2010, is the last day for U.S. cattle producers to speak out against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed rule on livestock and poultry marketing. Last week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments on behalf of its membership. However, NCBA is encouraging all producers and interested parties to submit their own comments specific to their operations.

“This regulation would, among other things, restrict marketing agreements between producers and meat packers, dictate the terms of production contracts, require additional paperwork, create legal uncertainty and limit producers’ ability to negotiate better prices for the animals they sell,” said Steve Foglesong, NCBA president and Illinois cattleman. “This rule would stymie innovation and roll the clock back on this industry. In the end, producers and consumers lose.”

NCBA, along with other leading industry groups, commissioned Informa Economics to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of the proposed rule. The Informa study concluded that the rule would result in substantial direct and indirect costs to the livestock and poultry industries — eventually borne by producers and consumers — of more than $1.64 billion, including nearly $880 million to the beef industry. The study concluded that 82% of the costs to the beef industry would fall on U.S. cattlemen and women. In addition, the study estimates the U.S. beef cattle herd would shrink by 494,000 head.

According to GIPSA, all comments must be mailed today to:

Tess Butler
GIPSA, USDA
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 1643-S
Washington, D.C., 20250-3604

All comments sent electronically must be submitted by midnight EST. To e-mail comments using a template letter, beef cattle producers may do so at NCBA’s website. Additionally, comments can be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Comments can also be faxed to 202-690-2173.

Foglesong encouraged producers to contact their elected policymakers on Capitol Hill”

— Adapted from release by NCBA.

For more viewpoints on GIPSA and the proposed rule change, visit newsrooms of the following organizations:

• American Farm Bureau Association (http://www.fb.org/index.php?fuseaction=newsroom.newsroom)
• American Meat Institute (http://www.meatami.com/ht/d/Articles/afterdays/7/pid/206)
• National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (http://www.beefusa.org/newsncba_policynews.aspx)
• National Farmers Union (http://nfu.org/news)
• Organization for Competitive Markets (http://www.competitivemarkets.com/)
• R-CALF USA (http://www.r-calfusa.com/news_releases/news.htm)
• U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (http://www.uscattlemen.org/)
• U.S. Premium Beef (http://www.uspremiumbeef.com/)

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.