House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Chairman David Scott, D-Ga., today held a hearing to review livestock and related U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs in advance of the 2012 Farm Bill.
 
"Today's hearing was an extremely productive one, and allowed us to explore in depth a wide array of issues with the Department. It also brought to light several issues that we will have to investigate more thoroughly in the future. Overall however I feel that the hearing was a valuable and necessary part of our oversight of the 2008 Farm Bill, and has provided crucial insight into problems that will need to be addressed as we develop the next Farm Bill," Subcommittee Chairman Scott said.
 
"Fair and transparent markets are necessary for orderly commerce between producers, packers, processors, retailers, and consumers.  At the same time, we owe it to our constituents to ensure that the policy process is also fair and transparent so that the path of good intentions does not lead us to the land of unintended consequences. That's why today's hearing is important, but I'm also disappointed that that GIPSA rule comment period is only 60 days and will close before the USDA/DOJ workshops on this subject are completed. For this reason, 21 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle joined me in requesting that the comment period be extended 120 days so that the USDA/DOJ workshops can be completed and a thorough analysis can be conducted by everybody wishing to comment on the rule," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas.
 
The Subcommittee heard testimony from USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Edward M. Avalos. Avalos was joined by administrators from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA).
 
Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html.

A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.
 
Panel I
The Honorable Edward M. Avalos, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
 
Accompanied by:
Ms. Cindy Smith, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
Ms. Rayne Pegg, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
Mr. J. Dudley Butler, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC