8-18 IAN Wyatt on GIPSA

 In 2008, Congress directed the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration to draft rules that can be used to monitor competition in the marketplace. Supporters say the rules will shed more light on the contracting practices of meat packers and their treatment of producers at every stage of the beef industry. The rules will bring equality back into the market, according to supporters. Opponents say the proposed rules will hurt producers by reducing the availability of alternative marketing strategies and invade individual privacy by requiring contract disclosures. They also believe the rules will lead to more lawsuits by producers claiming they were unfairly treated. That opinion is directly supported by Wyatt Prescott, Executive Director of the Idaho Cattleman’s Association:  “what that does is just bring on the trial lawyers. There will be a bonanza of trial lawyers and it opens it up for litigation which those packing plants has to hedge for those costs which adds another layer of expense which trickles down to producers but more importantly rather than take the risk of having their pants sued off, they wouldn’t do that. If the rules are enforced they would say instead of take the risk I’ll just pay the same for everybody’s cattle, I don’t  care how good they are or how many everybody’s on an even keel which could be horrible for the state of Idaho where we raise such good cattle.