Poultry and livestock producers are pushing for congress to reject proposals that they say would undermine the Department of Agriculture’s authority to protect them from deceptive and abusive industry business practices.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that the House measure focuses on a regulation that requires poultry dealers to give at least 90 days-notice before suspending delivery of birds to growers.
Other regulations determine whether companies are giving one producer an unfair and illegal advantage over another.
Steve Etka, a lobbyist with the Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform, said that the measures are important for basic fair business practice standards.
Meanwhile, the National Chicken Council backs the House version saying that the rules cost the chicken industry as much as $55.5 million a year in legal fees and other costs.
Eastern Shore Republican Congressman Andy Harris, who declined to be interviewed by the Salisbury Daily Times, did respond to questions in an email and said that the federal government “was already too intrusive in their business.”
Senator Chris Coons said he is still weighing the concerns about the regulations and talking with growers and poultry companies about their impact on his state.
The Delaware Democrat recently co-founded the Senate Chicken Caucus.
