Proposed GIPSA Rules Would Mean Big Changes for Livestock and Poultry Industries

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The federal agency responsible for issuing regulations that govern contracting, buying and selling of livestock and poultry
has written new rules that - if finalized- would drastically change the way that producers, packers, dealers and contractors raise,
buy, and sell livestock and poultry.

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, or “GIPSA,” is an agency of the United States Department
of Agriculture. GIPSA’s mission is to “facilitate the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural
products, and promote fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture.”

Once GIPSA is given the authority by Congress, the agency drafts “proposed administrative rules.” After these rules are
written, they are printed in the Federal Register, which is also available online at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.

A full copy of the proposed rules is available at http://archive.gipsa.usda.gov/rulemaking/fr10/06-22-10.pdf If this link is not working you can review the proposed rule outline here: http://archive.gipsa.usda.gov/psp/Farm_bill_rule_outline.pdf --Adobe software available for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/ is necessary to view these links.

The comments submitted by the public are very important. They are read and considered when the final rules are being
written, and often comments and suggestions are incorporated into the final rule. If you’d like to make comments on the proposed
rule online, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480b0803e. Once you’re at this page, there is a link in the top right hand corner to submit comments. Comments must be submitted on or before November 22, 2010.