Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 5/26/11

The Republican majority of the U.S. House of Representatives passed this week a draft appropriations bill that would eliminate funding for the implementation of a controversial proposed rule that would change livestock marketing rules.

The House Republicans’ draft Fiscal Year 2012 Agricultural Appropriations Bill states: “None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be used to write, prepare, develop, or publish a final rule or an interim final rule in furtherance of, or otherwise to implement, the proposed rule entitled ''Implementation of Regulations Required Under Title XI of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008; Conduct in Violation of the Act.’’

The proposed rule, commonly referred to as the “GIPSA rule,” is aimed at breaking up what supporters say is meatpacker market power and providing independent cattle producers more competitive prices for their animals.

"The GIPSA rule would prevent meatpackers from giving secret, sweetheart deals to their corporate livestock suppliers while refusing to pay family farmers and ranchers so much as a fair price for their livestock,” said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, in a statement. “Now Congress has given these same meatpackers a sweetheart deal by including language in the appropriations bill that stops the GIPSA rule dead in its tracks.”

Opponents, including large meatpacking companies, argue the rule would eliminate marketing arrangements with cattle producers that have resulted in higher-quality beef products and increased demand for them.

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