Moran Voices Concern over Recently Proposed GIPSA Rule

Press Release

Moran Voices Concern over Recently Proposed GIPSA Rule

Congressman Jerry Moran recently expressed his concerns to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, regarding a Proposed Rule published by USDA's Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) that makes changes to regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. Since publication of the Proposed Rule, many livestock producers have raised concerns because the rule proposes sweeping changes to how livestock producers market their animals, but contains no economic analysis about how the rule will impact their operations.

"Whether livestock producers agree or disagree with the Proposed Rule, it is essential that USDA accurately represent the economic impact of the Proposed Rule, as required under existing federal procedures," said Moran. "This rule will have widespread impact on our nation's livestock markets and producers have the right to know the extent of that impact."

Moran requested that USDA not move forward with the Proposed Rule until an economic analysis is completed and made public by the USDA Chief Economist.

Moran also expressed concerns over the USDA's failure to give proper notice that a USDA/Department of Justice public workshop, held recently in Fort Collins, Colorado, was an official rule making proceeding for the Proposed Rule. Federal law requires that an agency notify the public in advance of the time, place and nature of a public rule making proceeding. Livestock producers were not notified that this workshop was intended to serve as a rule making proceeding until after the workshop had started. This error by USDA deprived ranchers of an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking.

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