NFU Comes Out Against USDA Fair Farmer Decision

On Tuesday, the USDA announced it would be terminating the Farmer Fair Practices Rule on Competitive Injury.  A rule that, according to the National Farmers Unions, would have provided the most basic of protections to American family farmers and ranchers as they endure increasingly concentrated markets and unfair treatment from multinational meatpackers.  NFU President Roger Johnson said he is deeply disappointed that USDA did not side with family farmers in the long-contested debate over rules for the Packers and Stockyards Act.

“The Farmer Fair Practices Rules offered a basic, yet important first step to addressing the unfair practice that family farmers and ranchers face in the extremely consolidated meatpacking industries.”

Johnson went on to say the USDA’s decision Tuesday has given the green light to the few 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. It is particularly egregious given the abuses that poultry growers face in the vertically integrated marketplace.”

Johnson said NFU will pursue congressional action that addresses competition issues moving forward.

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