The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday voted and passed its Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture Appropriations spending bill. The legislation funds agricultural and food programs and services, including food and medical product safety, animal and plant health programs, rural development and farm services, marketplace oversight and nutrition programs.
Included in the bill is language that would stop the implementation of a Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) regulation that would place restrictions on poultry, beef and pork marketing arrangements. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 26-24.
Republicans and Democrats in Congress for several years have enacted legislation that corrects regulatory overreach on the part of the Obama administration that has kept GIPSA within the scope of the 2008 Farm Bill requirements.
The administration finally got it right two years ago and ultimately finalized rules on the areas included in the 2008 Farm Bill, requiring several technical corrections to ensure that the final rules remained consistent with congressional intent.
“That’s why we were as surprised as anyone to read the media reports that USDA and GIPSA were intent on revisiting this issue,” said NCC President Mike Brown after Tuesday’s vote. “I want to thank Representative Harris and the committee for taking this important action today.”
Brown continued, “USDA seems to be seeking a solution in search of a problem. Let’s call this what it is – the administration ignoring the will of Congress and handing a gift to trial lawyers heading out the door. There are no laws, regulations or “riders” that seek to take away a farmer’s First Amendment rights or any other rights, or to limit in any way the many legal remedies available to protect those rights. Today’s livestock and poultry contracting and marketing practices all remain regulated by GIPSA, which administers and enforces the Packers and Stockyards Act to protect farmers, ranchers and consumers.
“The current contracting system has worked well for more than 60 years and has helped promote steady improvements in live chicken performance that have benefited chicken farmers, the companies they produce for, the well-being of the birds, and ultimately consumers. We all want our farmers to succeed. The success of the company – and ultimately the entire livestock and poultry industry – depends on it.”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday told reporters that his department would move forward with new rule making despite the House committee vote.
Other amendments adopted by the full committee include:
- Prevent the slaughter of horses for human consumption within the United States. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 25-23.
- Halting a new FDA sodium guidance until the completion of an Institute of Medicine review. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
- Delay a new rule by USDA that changes requirements for approved SNAP retailers. Adopted by voice vote.
The bill also includes full funding of $200 million for USDA’s Market Access Program and $34.5 million for the Foreign Market Development program, as authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
It’s uncertain when or if any of the appropriations bills reported by the committee will be considered on the floor of the House.
