Farmer Fair Practices Rule

Farmer Fair Practices Rule

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
The Department of Agriculture announced it would be terminating the Farmer Fair Practices Rule on Competitive Injury.

The U.S. Cattlemen's Association had long fought for the rule as did the National Farmers Unions, and says the rule would have provided the most basic of protections to American family farmers and ranchers from unfair treatment from multinational meatpackers.

NFU President Roger Johnson says he is deeply disappointed.

"The Farmer Fair practices rules would have offered a basic and important first step to addressing the unfair practice that family farmers and ranchers face in the extremely Consolidated meat packing Industries."

And - Johnson went on to say the USDA's decision has given the green light to multinational meatpackers that dominate the market to discriminate against family farmers.

"The withdrawal of the competitive injury rule is unjustified given the long-held plain language interpretation by the department that Growers do not need to prove harm to the entire industry when seeking relief from poultry companies for unfair contract practices."

Meanwhile, the National Chicken Council was among those pleased USDA withdrew the Farmer Fair Practices rule.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters the rule was supposed to facilitate competition, but would have led to more litigation.

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