The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association responded to USDA’s final Packers and Stockyards rule released Tuesday.
NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane says, “While we still have concerns about the unintended consequences of the rule, we are pleased that USDA has addressed most of our significant concerns between the proposed and final rules.”
NCBA’s concern with the regulation has always been based on the rule’s unforeseen impacts on standard business practices.
However, Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute, argues the final rule does nothing to change competition. Potts says, “These changes are simply an attempt to assert even more federal authority to regulate the equities of industry business practices, clogging the federal courts with every contract dispute.”
She claims that Congress never intended to give USDA such broad-ranging authority over meat industry contracts and practices, regardless of their effect on competition.
The Meat Institute previously submitted comments to USDA outlining legal precedent and congressional intent regarding the rule.
NAFB news service
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