Opening Statements

Remarks as prepared:

Our next order of business is to consider a bill to reauthorize the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999.  This bill, like the underlying act and each subsequent reauthorization has been the result of dialogue and consensus between livestock producers and meat packers.

We fully understand that government mandates like price reporting can be onerous, and that not all industry participants may fully embrace this program.  That said, it is apparent that over the preceding 16 years, mandatory reporting has become an essential tool for producers and packers to compete as the industry continues to evolve.

This reauthorization contains a number of industry-specific modifications proposed by the pork producers and sheep producers.  We likewise included a provision that responds generally to industry concern regarding USDA’s arbitrary decision to shut this mandatory program down for several days during the lapse in appropriations that occurred in 2013 while other mandatory programs were deemed essential.

I am aware that negotiations are continuing between meat packers and cattlemen that may result in further amendments, but these discussions may take days or possibly even weeks to complete.  While we remain hopeful that the meat packers will ultimately agree to the modifications requested by the cattlemen, we felt it important to leave those requests out of the bill for the time being so as not to prejudge the outcome of the industry discussions.

If agreement over the cattlemen’s request is reached prior to consideration of this legislation in the full House, it would be my intent to consider their request at that time.

I now yield to the Ranking Member, Mr. Peterson for any comments he may have.