Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack updated the USDA packers and stockyards rules, noting four proposed rules, with a fifth in progress.
The transparency rule, which primarily affects the poultry line and requires more transparency about who the involved parties are doing business with, is finalized. The market integrity rule is finalized, saying you cannot discriminate or retaliate.
The Poultry tournament rule is under review after the comment period ended on August 6. That rule involves creating a more fair tournament system. Vilsack said they will review those comments, hoping to finalize the rule by the end of the year.
The fair competition rule, which addresses harm to competition, has a comment period ending on September 11. Vilsack said they will analyze the comments once commenting has ended and then propose it for final. Vilsack said he would also like to see this rule complete by the end of the year.
Vilsak said they are also working on a Fed Cattle Price Discovery tool, which he said will indicate where they think that rule should go. He hopes to get consideration for that before the end of the year.
Additionally, there is ongoing discussion about the possibility of passing a new farm bill, but it is challenging due to the need for bipartisan support without affecting nutrition programs. “What needs to happen is for folks to be in the room. By folks, I mean the leadership of the House and the Senate ag committees, with permission from their leadership to hammer out a deal.”
Vilsack said a farm bill could raise farm program reference prices “but not to the point where it creates a circumstance where you have to take money from the nutrition programs or where you have to deal with budget gimmicks.”
Vilsack said if lawmakers cannot compromise on a practical farm bill, “you’re going to have a hard time” trying to get something passed by the end of the year.
