USDA Issues Proposed Rule For Livestock Mandatory Reporting
News Date August 10, 2007
This week, USDA issued the proposed regulation to reestablish the Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) program. On April 2, 2001, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) implemented the reporting program as required by the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (1999 Act). The statutory authority for the program lapsed on Sept. 30, 2005.
In October 2006, Congress enacted legislation to reauthorize the 1999 Act through Sept. 30, 2010 (Reauthorization Act), and to amend the swine reporting requirements of the 1999 Act. The Reauthorization Act separates the reporting requirements for sows and boars from barrows and gilts, among other changes. This rulemaking is necessary to reestablish the regulatory authority for the program's continued operation and incorporate the swine reporting changes as well as enhance the program's overall effectiveness and efficiency based on AMS' experience in the administration of the program over the past six years. Comments are due by Sept. 7, 2007. Copies of the proposed rule and additional information can be found at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketnews. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)