Congressmen David Rouzer (R-NC), chairman of the House Agriculture Livestock Subcommittee, and Jim Costa (D-CA), ranking Member of the subcommittee, have sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing significant concerns about the substance, timing and impact of USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration proposed rule that would change the current requirements for marketing livestock and poultry in the United States.

The Congressmen emphasized to the Secretary that if the rule would become final, producers and processors would be severely limited in their ability to contract with one another, creating uncertainty for both parties. Also, consumers would be adversely affected where they would find fewer options of meat and poultry products and at higher prices at the grocery store. The members said that if USDA and GIPSA do move forward then USDA should provide a comment period of a minimum of 180 days for stakeholders to analyze and comment on the proposed rules.