Roberts Works to Defend Livestock Producers

Press Release

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today said the government is attacking the multi-billion dollar livestock industry with too many regulations, which will have far reaching implications on the economy worldwide.

"The livestock sector is a driver of the agricultural economy and is also a major reason agriculture has had substantial successes in the export market," said Roberts. "If the president plans to double exports, this segment of agriculture stands ready to deliver. Unfortunately, despite this unmatched success, the livestock industry has been under regulatory attack from both the EPA and USDA. This is especially true of USDA as it applies to the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule."

Sen. Roberts made the remarks at today's Agriculture Committee hearing entitled, "The State of Livestock in America." The focus was on the center of the American dinner plate and the nearly 900,000 meat producers who make up America's more than $100 billion livestock industry.

During the hearing, Sen. Roberts called into question the proposed rule, saying the administration went forward in direct opposition to Congressional actions in regards to GIPSA.

"As a result, we are looking at a proposed rule that is undoubtedly significant in its economic impact and which threatens to undo years of livestock marketing arrangements that have benefited both livestock producers and consumers," said Roberts. "At a time when many talk about how agriculture is going to help lead the rebound for our economic recovery, it makes no sense to me why we would try to hamstring this industry, and take away marketing tools that will have far reaching implications in both the domestic and international marketplace."

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