Meat packagingA new USDA rule aims to protect farmers against deceptive contracts and retaliatory tactics from meat processors. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the rule takes effect on May 6 as part of a USDA initiative for greater transparency and competition in the livestock market.

Vilsack calls the rule the “latest major milestone” in enhancing USDA oversight of livestock marketing. By providing clearer and more effective standards, the industry can better prohibit discrimination, retaliation and deception by meat companies. In conjunction with the rule are grants issued by USDA to expand meatpacking capacity by independent processors.

Read more on the market integrity rule here.