Reps. Kaptur, Pingree to Host Briefing on Contract Retaliation Protection for Farmers

Washington, D.C.– Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) will co-host a Congressional briefing on Wednesday to discuss provisions of a USDA proposed rule to protect farmers from industry retaliation and past efforts to block the rule from being implemented. The briefing will feature a panel discussion including:

- Christopher Leonard, former Associated Press reporter and author of “The Meat Racket: The Secret Takeover of America’s Food Business”

- Benny Bunting, Poultry Farmer and Lead Farm Advocate for The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI)

- Mike Weaver, Chicken Farmer in Fort Seybert, West Virginia and President of the Contract Poultry Growers of the Virginias

- Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union(Moderator)

Background: For years, a handful of companies have used their market power to control the poultry industry at the expense of independent contract farmers. As part of the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress directs USDA to write and implement regulations that protect contract farmers and level the playing field. To date only a few of USDA’s proposed rules have been finalized with the remaining blocked by the GIPSA rider, which has restricted USDA from implementing or enforcing rules to protect farmers’ basic rights, especially their right to free speech. This issue has received widespread national attention in recent weeks and was featured in a segment on John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight on HBO.

Details:

WHAT: Briefing: “First Hand Accounts from America’s Farmers on Need for Contract Protection” (OPEN PRESS)

WHERE: 2226 Rayburn House Office Building

WHEN: Wednesday, June 3, 2015, 2:30-3:30pm

Additional press availability for some panelists will follow, 3:30-3:45pm

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