Livestock issues still obscured as conference set to resume
(4/29/2008)
Sally Schuff
The Senate-House farm bill conference will resume Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the wake of last Friday night's agreement on some of the bill's thorniest funding issues. Details of the livestock and market competition title remain obscure because meetings on policy issues have been behind-closed doors for several days. Neither the National Cattlemen's Beef Association nor the National Farmers Union, which praised "a strong competition title," were able to confirm any specific details of the farm bill's livestock title.
Congressional aides say more details may be forthcoming on Tuesday when conferees meet to decide on the remaining controversies.
The key livestock issues include a difference between the House and Senate bills on country-of-origin labeling, a ban on packer ownership of livestock, interstate shipment of state inspected meat, and additional oversight of market competition.
The National Pork Producers Council issued a statement praising Senate and House leaders for the Friday night agreement. Somewhat mysteriously, NPPC's statement noted, "The agreement is a significant step toward completing a 2008 farm bill. NPPC recognizes that there are important policy issues yet to be resolved and stands ready to work 24/7 to constructively help craft a final bill that maintains the U.S. pork industry's domestic and international competitiveness."
(4/29/2008)
Sally Schuff
The Senate-House farm bill conference will resume Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the wake of last Friday night's agreement on some of the bill's thorniest funding issues. Details of the livestock and market competition title remain obscure because meetings on policy issues have been behind-closed doors for several days. Neither the National Cattlemen's Beef Association nor the National Farmers Union, which praised "a strong competition title," were able to confirm any specific details of the farm bill's livestock title.
Congressional aides say more details may be forthcoming on Tuesday when conferees meet to decide on the remaining controversies.
The key livestock issues include a difference between the House and Senate bills on country-of-origin labeling, a ban on packer ownership of livestock, interstate shipment of state inspected meat, and additional oversight of market competition.
The National Pork Producers Council issued a statement praising Senate and House leaders for the Friday night agreement. Somewhat mysteriously, NPPC's statement noted, "The agreement is a significant step toward completing a 2008 farm bill. NPPC recognizes that there are important policy issues yet to be resolved and stands ready to work 24/7 to constructively help craft a final bill that maintains the U.S. pork industry's domestic and international competitiveness."