The USDA proposes to revise livestock marketing regulations that would make it easier for producers to win fairness complaints against meatpackers. Currently, producers need to demonstrate harm to the market in general. Under the revision, harm to one producer would be sufficient proof of an unfair practice.

The meat industry said the proposed rule would encourage lawsuits and interfere with marketing agreements and offered for animals with specific traits. These include grass-fed or no-antibiotics.

The National Farmers Union said farmers and ranchers need the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act rules to ensure clear, durable and enforceable rules. The USDA has released a pre-publication version of the proposed rule.

Read more on the USDA proposal to improve fairness in marketing livestock here.