FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: NMA
NMA POSITION ON LIVESTOCK CONCENTRATION COMMISSION
OAKLAND, CA: October 19, 1995 -- Congressman Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) introduced a bill this week requiring the President to appoint a commission on concentration in the livestock industry. It is the opinion of National Meat Association that there are other options to be considered in this matter.
' ' NMA supports a competitive marketing environment and welcomes the opportunity to discuss ways in which an environment may be enhanced,'' says NMA Executive Director Rosemary Mucklow. However, the bill as presented appears to exclude meat packers and processors from the process. NMA recommends that the sponsors include such representation by providing for an equal number of packers and processors of hogs, cattle and lamb.
Further, NMA believes that rather than appoint a commission, which will inevitably result in a time consuming process, the Secretary of Agriculture should instead convene a series of public meetings. Such meetings would facilitate an opportunity for producers, packers, economists and others to present their views on the concentration issue as well as allow for an interactive discussion among interested parties. However, such meeting should not be held until the Packers and Stockyards Administration's study on concentration is published later this year in two stages.
National Meat Association is a non-profit trade association for meat packers and processors, as well as equipment manufacturers and suppliers who provide services to the meat industry. The association, with over 600 members throughout the United States, includes membership in Canada and Mexico.
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