USDA published a proposed rule on Monday to make changes in the Packers and Stockyards Act. This follows Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue throwing out the Farmer Fair Practice rules as ordered by the court.
The Organization for Competitive Markets is disappointed with the newly proposed GIPSA rule. Policy advisor Joe Maxwell says it fails to provide producer protections.
He says the newly proposed GIPSA Rule doesn’t address the undue or unreasonable preference conduct of packers. It also fails to highlight which actions by the packers are unfair, unjustly discriminatory or deceptive.
Maxwell adds the proposed rule has no protections for producers from retaliation by packers.
Maxwell says OCM’s next step is to submit public comments to the USDA on the rule and determine if legal action is possible.
OCM had earlier supported the original Farmer Fair Practice Rule which came out in December of 2016.
