Stand Up To Big Meat!

Tell the Department of Agriculture that you don't want the big meat processors controlling our food supply and driving farmers and ranchers off the land.

The USDA has proposed rules to put a halt to unfair and deceptive practices in the marketplace that hurt independent livestock ranchers and poultry and pork farmers. A handful of companies like Tyson, Cargill and JBS/Swift use their enormous economic power to manipulate the market and push prices down for farmers and ranchers. The results have been devastating. Since 1980, the U.S. has lost nearly 600,000 hog farms, and more than half a million cattle farms. To build a more sustainable and resilient food system - we need more farmers and ranchers – not fewer.

The USDA is taking comments from the public on the new rules until November 22. Stand up for independent ranchers and farmers - and your food system. Tell the USDA you support their new rules on fair competition in beef, poultry and pork markets. You can comment on the new rules by directly typing into the below box.

The letter is most effective if you use your own words – and tell your own story.

Thank you for submitting a comment!

Subject:

Your Letter:

RIN 0580-AB07
Farm Bill Comments
Federal Register, June 22, 2010
Vol. 75, No. 119
Page 35388

I want to thank the U.S. Department of Agriculture for writing, clarifying and strengthening rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) to ensure fair competition in livestock and poultry markets. These rules are a good first step and long overdue.

The handful of companies that control our beef, pork and poultry markets have too much power in the marketplace. This market power allows these companies to undercut independent livestock ranchers and engage in unfair and deceptive contracts with poultry and pork farmers.

This lack of competition has been devastating to farmers and ranchers and rural communities around the country. Since 1980, the U.S. has lost nearly 600,000 hog farms, and more than half a million cattle farms. Our farmers and ranchers are making less and less of the food dollar in the grocery store.

Fair prices, transparent contracts and open competition should be the foundation of any market. We support the USDA’s proposed rules to bring fairness and competition to the marketplace and look forward to continuing efforts in that regard.

Tess Butler

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
USDA
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 1643-S
Washington, DC 20250

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