U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review three rules first issued in 2010, commonly referred to as the GIPSA rules.
“While the impact of these rules is not fully known, if they are in any way similar to the 2010 GIPSA proposal, I have serious concerns that the U.S. livestock, poultry, and meat sectors will be tremendously burdened and experience irreparable harm during already difficult economic times,” said Charmian Roberts.
“I have opposed the GIPSA rules since 2010, and Congress repeatedly voiced disapproval of this proposal over the past six years. In April 2016, I sent a letter to USDA urging the agency to reconsider issuing the rules. I heard concerns about the GIPSA rules from farmers and ranchers at a hearing in May. At another hearing in September, I pressed USDA Secretary Vilsack on this matter. I will continue to advocate for the interests of livestock, poultry, and meat producers as these rules move forward due to the harm they will cause, not only in my home state of Kansas but across the country.”