New rules could alter US livestock marketing

A Reuters report said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will propose changes to marketing rules that guide livestock and poultry sales. Announced by the National Family Farm Coalition and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the fair play rules could alter a 2008 farm law and bar meatpackers from giving preference to big producers.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said any changes would respond to farmer complaints. Although the 2008 farm law carries a number of regulations, there’s still little recourse if packers treat producers unfairly. Current laws governing antitrust and competition work well, meat processors say.