STATEMENT BY NCBA Regarding the GAO Report on the Packers and Stockyards Administration

“The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) appreciates the recent focus by the U.S. government on the cattle market.  We support continuous review of the Packers and Stockyards Act to ensure the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is in step with the regulatory needs of a rapidly changing industry.

“The report released today by the General Accounting Office (GAO) makes several recommendations which may help improve the effectiveness of GIPSA. 

"Some steps that GIPSA took earlier this year are in line with the GAO recommendations.  These steps include: reorganizing, hiring additional field and regional staff, working to ensure that staff have adequate technical and investigative skills, and working to streamline training procedures for staff.  We support these efforts by GIPSA to improve its effectiveness. 

"NCBA policy urges enforcement of antitrust laws and the current provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act to maintain a free and open cattle market.  The GAO reports that GIPSA has adequate authority to enforce the Act.  We are encouraged that the GAO has identified several areas of improvement that may enhance GIPSA's ability to carry out its mission.

"We will continue to work with Congress and the administration to ensure that GIPSA has the necessary funding and resources to enforce the law and meet its responsibilities to ensure a fair and competitive marketplace for cattle producers."

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the  trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.