The USDA has finalized new regulations to enhance fairness for chicken farmers working with major meat companies
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shared that this change comes from listening to farmers’ needs. He emphasized that the goal is to give them a fair shot without making it harder for them to succeed.
One key part of the new rule is about the poultry tournament system. It limits how much of a farmer’s pay can be affected by their ranking in this system. Now, companies can’t take away too much from a grower’s pay just because of where they stand in the rankings.
The rule also ensures that no more than 25% of a grower’s pay can be based on this tournament system. Plus, it gives farmers better information about what they need to invest in to keep their contracts going.
Vilsack believes this rule is strong and reflects the voices of the farmers. He mentioned that USDA has been working hard to make things better for those in the field, especially during tough times.
In addition to this new rule, USDA has also made other changes to promote fairness and transparency in the poultry industry. They’ve been proactive in ensuring that farmers get the information they need and are protected from discrimination.
Interestingly, USDA also decided to withdraw a proposed rule that was meant to define unfair practices in livestock and poultry markets. Vilsack explained that it was a complex rule and better to start fresh rather than leave it for the next administration to handle.
