FMC Voices Support for Farmer Fair Practices Rules

      Posted On: June 2, 2017

Today, just four companies make 85 percent of America’s beef and 65 percent of its pork. Just three companies produce almost half of all chicken. This concentration in the meat industry hurts both farmers and consumers, which is why FMC has voiced our support for the Farmer Fair Practices Rules (GIPSA) Interim Final Rule (IFR).

Learn more about how the rule helps independent farmers here. Public comments are currently being accepted regarding the IFR, and will be accepted through June 12th. If you’d like to comment, add your thoughts and experiences as a producer, market manager, or shopper to the sample comments below, and submit it to the Federal Register at this link.

I am writing to provide comments with regard to the proposed rule (GIPSA-2016-PSP-0009-RULEMAKING-0348) posted in the Federal Register Number 2017-07361 on April 12, 2017.  

I choose option (1), and strongly urge USDA to allow the Interim Final Rule (IFR) to go into effect, without any further delay. The IFR reiterates the position USDA has long held under both Republican and Democratic administrations that violations of this part of the Packers and Stockyards Act do not require a showing of harm or likely harm to competition. The Packers and Stockyards Act was passed into law to provide protection for livestock and poultry farmers against unfair, deceptive and discriminatory practices by packers and poultry companies.

It is time for USDA to stand up for America’s livestock and Poultry farmers. Please finalize the IFR without delay.