Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 12/7/11

A coalition of organizations serving the beef, pork and poultry industries have signed a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, asking for a hearing to discuss the effect of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on the economy.

The coalition includes the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, American Meat Institute, National Chicken Council, National Meat Association, National Pork Producers Council and National Turkey Federation.

The groups cited ongoing pressure on domestic feed grain supplies and a discovery of $9 million of fraudulent renewable identification numbers as justifications for a hearing.

“[S]omething must be done to protect livestock and poultry producers from excessively high corn prices because of the rigid RFS compliance system,” the groups told Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D- Calif.) and Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-Okla.).

“Not only are the meat and poultry industries asking the Senate committee to make an attempt to understand the impact on farmers and ranchers, but we also are asking the committee to consider the impact on the American consumer,” the groups said.

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