Livestock and Poultry Groups Appeal To USDA To Kill GIPSA Rule

The meatpacking industry has joined livestock and poultry groups in asking the Trump administration to withdraw a rule that would set standards of proof for challenging marketing practices in the livestock and poultry industry.The rule, which the outgoing Obama administration issued in December, is set to take effect April 22. The interim final rule is intended to aid producers in challenging processor contracting and buying practices.In comments to USDA, the North American Meat Institute, which represents packing companies, said the rule would "set in motion a cascade of litigation" that would "roll back the significant process" that the industry has made in meeting consumer demands. But some farmers who support the rule say they have been unfairly required to prove that they harmed the entire market.The new rule would tell courts that a practice can violate the Packers and Stockyards Act without a legal finding of harm to competition.