NCBA Welcomes Comment Extension for Packers and Stockyards Act Rulemaking

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a 45-day extension of the comment period for the proposed rule titled, “Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act.” The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the extension while urging USDA to proceed in a cautious, deliberative manner.

“While we appreciate the additional time to submit thorough comments, overall USDA should tap the brakes on this rulemaking effort,” said NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer. “This is a significant undertaking rooted in decades of legislative..."

North American Meat Institute: Meat and Poultry Industry is Resilient

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released the following statement in response to a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service report on Agricultural Competition and the first in a series of rules changes the Administration is proposing under the Packers and Stockyards Act:

“Despite what the White House says, the meat and poultry industry proved to be remarkably resilient during the pandemic,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “Following the challenges of the spring of 2020, the industry acted immediately to reduce..."

Proposed Changes to Packers & Stockyards Act Could Harm Industry Sustainability Efforts

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said the Biden Administration’s proposed rules for the Packers and Stockyards Act could limit the abilities of the meat and poultry industry to respond to consumer demand regarding sustainability.

“In the case of beef, farmers and ranchers produce cattle using 33percent less land, 12 percent less water, and with a 16 percent smaller carbon footprint in 2007 compared to 1977. That is an astounding sustainability success story,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute...