"The Obama Administration is committed to ensuring that the marketplace for our farmers and ranchers is free from unfair and deceptive practices," said Secretary Vilsack. "This new rule will provide much-needed information and basic protections for poultry growers that will enable them to make better business decisions and safeguard their livelihood."
Under the new regulations, a poultry grower must be provided a true written copy of a poultry growing arrangement in a timely manner. The poultry growing arrangement must include information about any Performance Improvement Plans and provisions for written termination notices of the arrangement. And, notwithstanding confidentiality provisions, the rule allows growers to discuss the terms of poultry growing arrangements with designated individuals.
The proposed rule was published August 1, 2007.
Failure to disclose certain terms in a poultry growing arrangement constitutes an unfair, discriminatory, or deceptive practice in violation of section 202 (7 U.S.C. 192) of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
The final rule becomes effective on January 4, 2010. A copy of the rule can be found at
www.gipsa.usda.gov.
Source: USDA
Related link:
USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
