AFBF, NFU Call on USDA to Preserve Protection for Farmers

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall and National Farmers Union President Rob Larew issued a joint statement today on reports that USDA plans to rescind rules that protect farmers under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

“America’s farmers are deeply troubled by news that USDA plans to rescind or continue to delay several rules that are specifically designed to benefit America’s farmers and ranchers. The rules help protect farmers from retaliation by large processors, increase transparency and improve pay systems for contract poultry growers. They make it clear that unfair and deceptive practices by meatpackers will not be tolerated, and they take on the poultry tournament pay system that for too long created winners and losers based on factors outside of growers’ control.

“The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union, representing millions of farm families, worked for years advocating for a more level playing field. That progress is now at risk of being undone.

“The Trump administration has long said that it supports farmers and ranchers, but voiding these rules would do the exact opposite. Instead, more power would be given to large processing companies at the expense of America’s farmers. We urge President Trump and Secretary Rollins to demonstrate their commitment to farmers by leaving these critical safeguards in place.”