The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced yesterday that it is extending the implementation date 180 days for the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) interim final rule on competitive injury. The interim final rule was scheduled to go into effect on April 22.
“With this extension notice, it is clear the administration has recognized this is a complicated and controversial issue with deep economic consequences for American poultry and livestock producers,” said National Chicken Council (NCC) President Mike Brown. “The comments filed have obviously had an impact, and we thank the department for postponing the effective date to allow for a more thorough and meaningful review. We look forward to working with the administration and Congress to resolve this issue during this ‘timeout period’ of further review.”
In comments filed on March 24, the National Chicken Council explained in great detail the numerous reasons why the agency’s interim final rule and proposed rules are ill-advised; would inflict billions of dollars of economic harm to American agriculture; exceed GIPSA’s statutory authority; and represent an arbitrary and capricious abuse of federal regulatory authority.
