Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Poultry Growers Have Until May 12 To Comment On Rules

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced on February 10 that as part of Prescident Clinton administration's continued effort to address the needs of family farmers, USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comments on concerns contract poultry growers have raised about their relationships with poultry companies.

The advance notice was published in the February 10 Federal Register , with the comment period ending May 12.

As the halfway point of the comment period nears, potential respondents are reminded that GIPSA continues to seek comments from all segments of the industry on the anticipated benefits and burdens, especially to smaller operations involving less than $500,000 in poultry annually, that may result from the rulemaking under consideration.

Specifically, GIPSA is seeking comments on grower payments tied to performance of other growers; the accuracy of feed weights, feed delivery, and feed pickup procedures; and procedures for weighing live birds.

The comments received will enable the Department to determine whether, and what type of additional regulatory actions may be necessary to protect contract poultry growers.

All written submissions received pursuant to the ANPR will be made part of the record and available for public inspection, according to a news release.

However, GIPSA recognizes that some potential commentors may have concerns that disclosure of their identify could expose them to possible disadvantages in their business. If individuals wish to submit a comment anonymously, the comment will be accepted, and it will be given the same consideration as all other comments received, the news release stated.

Comments must be submitted no later than May 12 to: Harold Davis, Acting Deputy Administrator, GIPSA, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 3541, Washington, D.C. 20250-3541; via Fax 1-202-205-3941.