Comment Period Extended on GIPSA Rule
Source: NCBA
USDA Extends Packers & Stockyards (GIPSA) Rule Comment Period
Today, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a 45-day comment period extension for the proposed rule titled Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act. The original deadline for submission was December 2nd, but comments will now be accepted to this docket through January 17, 2023.
This extension comes on the heels of congressional engagement coordinated by NCBA and our allies in the livestock community. At our request, Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA) and Steve Womack (R-AR) led a letter to Secretary Vilsack echoing industry requests for an extension. The letter was delivered to AMS last week and was signed by a bipartisan list of 100 Members of Congress.
As a reminder, this rule is the second in an expected suite of three which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced under the Packers and Stockyards Act. It is the latest iteration of similar “GIPSA Rule” efforts with which NCBA has been involved dating back to 2010. The first rule in this most recent regulatory series dealt with the poultry tournament system.
NCBA is currently drafting detailed, technical comments which we plan to file with AMS on the deadline. We are aiming to complete this document by mid-December to allow interested affiliates the opportunity to utilize our comments in drafting their own. Those affiliates wishing to submit individual comments to USDA can do so via this portal on Regulations.gov.
We will continue to keep affiliates apprised of new developments on this issue. As always, please contact the D.C. office with any questions or concerns you may have. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Best,
Tanner
Tanner J. Beymer
Senior Director, Government Affairs
Center for Public Policy
The Pennsylvania Building
1275 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 801 Washington, DC 20004-1701