The USDA recently extended the 60-day comment period for the latest Packers and Stockyards Act proposal by 15 days. Tanner Beymer, senior director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says that’s not enough time for USDA to properly evaluate the rule. “Cattle markets are immensely complicated, and USDA is planning to make sweeping changes to those markets with only 75 days of public input,” Beymer says. “While this extension is welcome news, it’s not enough time to properly solicit public comments and review a rule that will have such an overarching impact on the cattle industry.” The proposed rule, “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets,” is already a direct attack on producer profitability, and now USDA is running down the clock to provide meaningful input from cattle producers. The rule aims to ensure fairer competition and transparency, requiring poultry companies to document fair comparisons between growers.
USDA extends comment period on packers and stockyards rule
