Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack received a letter in October from 115 House members urging USDA to conduct an economic analysis on the proposed GIPSA rule – and now that the analysis is being conducted – 147 House members have written again asking for a timeline for completion. They also are urging Vilsack for a re-proposal of the rule once the analysis is complete.

American Meat Institute President Patrick Boyle says AMI applauds the lawmakers. He says the number of signatories alone – one-third of House members – is a testament to the growing concern on Capitol Hill about the proposed GIPSA rule. AMI estimates the proposal’s cost at 14-billion dollars.

Bill Donald – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President – says the members of Congress are standing up for U.S. cattlemen and women – and holding the Administration accountable for its actions. He says the proposed GIPSA rule is the most pervasive invasion of federal government into the private marketplace that he’s ever witnessed.

As written – National Pork Producers Council President Doug Wolf says the regulation would be bad for producers, consumers and rural America. He says the nation’s pork producers are grateful to those members who asked USDA to withdraw the proposed rule. According to Wolf – USDA went well beyond Congressional intent and came up with a regulation that would cost the U.S. pork industry nearly 400-million dollars a year.