WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has published a final rule that adds "swine contractors" to the list of regulated entities subject to specific regulations issued under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act).

Reports said that GIPSA asserted that adding swine contractors to specific regulations under the P&S Act will assist swine contractors and swine production contract growers in determining which regulations apply to them. In addition, according to GIPSA, the change will make it easier for the agency to identify potential violators and enforce the provisions of the P&S Act. 

The final rule amends the regulations to clarify that swine contractors: 1) are prohibited from knowingly circulating misleading reports about market conditions or prices; 2) are required to provide business information to authorized GIPSA personnel; and 3) are required to permit authorized GIPSA personnel to inspect their business records and facilities.

The final rule becomes effective November 20, 2008. To view this announcement, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24945.pdf.

Source: American Meat Institute