For immediate release: May
8, 2007
For more information contact: Iowa Citizens
for Community Improvement
at 515-282-0484, iowacci@iowacci.org , http://www.iowacci.org
Washington, D.C. –
Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell introduced legislation last week
that would enhance fair and open competition in agriculture by giving
more rights to contract hog and poultry growers. However, Iowa Citizens
for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) and other member groups of
the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE) say the
bill does not go far enough because it does not include a ban on
giant corporate meatpackers owning livestock.
Boswell’s bill sets standards of fairness
for contract growers, including prohibiting binding mandatory arbitration
clauses and giving producer associations the right to bargain in
good faith with companies so that farmers have the leverage to bargain
for fair contracts. But CCI members say the bill should address
the root problem of corporate concentration and include a packer
ban. They say this measure would go a long way in promoting competition
in the livestock industry.
Earlier this year, Senator Grassley introduced
a packer ban bill in the US Senate. The bill was co-sponsored by
Senators Harkin, Dorgan and Enzi.
“Passing the packer ban is the single
most important thing Congress can do right now to help independent
livestock producers,” said Larry Ginter, a member of Iowa
Citizens for Community Improvement and family farmer from Iowa.
“It’s time for our Representatives to follow suit and
introduce a packer ban bill in the House.”
“Banning meatpackers from owning livestock
is the first step in restoring a free and competitive market,”
said Rhonda Perry, a Missouri hog farmer and member of the Missouri
Rural Crisis Center. “As long as the major meatpackers are
allowed to own livestock they can manipulate the market in their
favor. We need a packer ban now to bring competition back to the
livestock industry.”
The Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment
(CFFE) is a coalition of farm and rural groups that are leading
the fight against the corporate takeover of the hog industry and
working for policies that support independent family farmers. CFFE
member groups include Iowa CCI, Land Stewardship Project, Missouri
Rural Crisis Center, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, and Citizens
Action Coalition of Indiana.
Iowa CCI is a 32-year old organization with
thousands of members across the state from all walks of life who
talk, act and get things done on critical issues affecting all Iowans.
Iowa CCI members recognize the power of uniting and standing up
for what’s right. For more information, visit www.iowacci.org.
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