The National Chicken Council (NCC) supported by poultry associations in fourteen states has requested a six-month extension of the period to respond to proposed rules relating to contracts. The Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets Rule and the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems Rule have profound implications on the relationship between integrators and growers. Accordingly additional time is required for producers to evaluate the implications of the rules and to respond accordingly.
Tom Vilsack the Secretary of USDA introduced similar far-reaching changes under the Packers and Stockyards Act during his previous term of office in the Obama Administration. Through his current tenure, Secretary Vilsack has advanced changes to the structure of U.S. meat and poultry production to the detriment of large packers and integrators. He has expended vast sums of taxpayer money on promoting alternatives including small local processing facilities, favoring tribes and minorities in so-called underserved communities. It is doubtful whether the request for an extension will be granted since the end of the requested response period will extend to February 2025 at which time it is highly likely that the Secretary will no longer be in office and rules that are implemented may well be rescinded by his successor as occurred in 2017. USDA announced on July 30th that the comment period would be extended to September 11th.