News Update
July 26, 2010

USDA Announces Extension to GIPSA Comment Period

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has responded to calls from Congress, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and other leading agriculture organizations to extend the comment period to the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed rule on livestock marketing. The proposed rule, announced June 18, suggests major changes to the way producers can market their cattle. The comment period will be extended for an additional 90 days.

“Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle were very clear about the critical need to extend the comment period to allow stakeholders to thoroughly analyze the potential impacts of the rule,” said Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall. “While it’s unfortunate USDA didn’t extend the comment period for a full 120 days as we requested, we’re pleased that stakeholders will have some additional time to further analyze this complex rule and its potential implications on the beef sector, which is the largest segment of the food and fiber industry.

“On the surface, this rule has the potential to take the beef industry back 30 years by stifling the innovative efforts of U.S. cattle producers to add value and enhance the quality and safety of their products for consumers in the United States and abroad,” Woodall continued.

Steve Foglesong, president of NCBA and an Illinois cattle producer, sent a letter to GIPSA Administrator J. Dudley Butler earlier this month to stress the need for additional time to thoroughly analyze the rule’s potential legal and economic impacts on U.S. cattle producers. In the letter, Foglesong referred to language used by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding the proposed rule.

“The Secretary of Agriculture referred to this as one of the most sweeping reforms of the Packers and Stockyards Act,” stated Foglesong. “As such, it’s extremely important that we thoroughly understand the rule and both its intended, and unintended, consequences on the U.S. cattle community.”

During a House Agriculture subcommittee hearing on livestock on July 20, 2010, Democrats and Republicans expressed to USDA that the scope of the proposed rule goes well beyond what Congress intended under the 2008 Farm Bill. NCBA also reiterated that fact in writing to USDA. For more information on the proposed rule and its potential impacts on cattle producers, visit www.beltwaybeef.com.

— Release by NCBA.

USDA Places Industry Ahead of Producers with GIPSA Rule Extension

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is displeased with the USDA announcement to extend the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) comment period on the proposed rule, Implementation of Regulations Required Under Title XI, of the 2008 Farm Bill, to Nov. 22, 2010.

The proposed rule addresses concerns that have been discussed for many years and were developed at the direction of the 2008 Farm Bill that requires USDA to carry out specific rulemaking to improve fairness in the marketing of livestock and poultry.

“Extension of this comment period gives leverage for packers to offer lower prices to producers as a fear mechanism, which we have seen in the past with rules such as Country of Origin Labeling,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “NFU is an organization of producers and opposes the further extension of this comment period.”

The 2008 Farm Bill stated this rule was to be fully completed by June 18, 2010, another reason NFU is displeased with further extension of the comment period. A 30-day extension would have allowed for plenty of time and included the allowance for comments at the USDA/Department of Justice workshop on the livestock industry in Fort Collins, Colo., scheduled for Aug. 27.

“This rule is for the protection of the producers and USDA has allowed for a sufficient amount of time to comment,” said Johnson. “Further extending the deadline is proof that USDA is buckling under the pressure of industry. The focus needs to be on the producers. While USDA is taking a step in the right direction with this rule, the process needs to be expedited instead of slowed down.”

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

— Release by NFU.

USDA Offers Food Safety Tips for Iowa, Illinois Flooding

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing recommendations for residents in Iowa and Illinois affected by flooding to minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages and other problems often associated with severe weather.

“Particularly during times of emergency, food safety can be a critical public health risk,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold Mande. “In the flooded areas, the American public should be aware that information is readily available to help them protect their food supply.”

Steps to follow to prepare for a possible weather emergency:

• Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer. An appliance thermometer will indicate the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer in case of a power outage and help determine the safety of the food.
• Make sure the freezer is at 0°F or below and the refrigerator is at 40°F or below.
• Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers after the power is out.
• Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately — this helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
• Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.
• Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours. Purchase or make ice and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.
• Group food together in the freezer - this helps the food stay cold longer.
• Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
• The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) and the door remains closed.
• Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after 4 hours without power.
• Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F or below when checked with a food thermometer.
• Never taste a food to determine its safety!
• Obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic-foot full freezer for 2 days.
• If the power has been out for several days, check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer. If the appliance thermometer reads 40°F or below, the food is safe to refreeze.
• If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe.
• Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers.
• Thoroughly wash all metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils that came in contact with flood water with hot soapy water and sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
• Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches (for example, flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved. Follow the Steps to Salvage All-Metal Cans and Retort Pouches in the publication “Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency” at: www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/ Keeping_Food_Safe_During_an_Emergency/index.asp
• Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters. If bottled water is not available, tap water can be boiled for safety. For more information on drinking water safely during weather emergencies, access the FSIS publication “Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency” at: www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Keeping_Food_Safe_During_an_Emergency/index.asp
• When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

— Release by FSIS.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.