Turkey farmers facing squeeze after Trump kills agriculture rules

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico




A USDA decision is giving significant power to the multibillion-dollar meat industry, potentially crushing the smaller turkey farmers.

By CHRISTINE HAUGHNEY 11/22/2017 05:04 AM EST

Ike Horst raises 22,000 turkeys a year on his farm in the rolling hills of south-central Pennsylvania, selling them to a processing company that was providing him with enough of a nest egg that he hoped he could sell the farm and retire.

But a Trump administration decision to block proposed agriculture regulations may blow up those plans, preserving the multibillion-dollar meat industry’s power over the smaller turkey farmers whose birds will grace the tables in millions of American homes this Thanksgiving. Horst is one of the independent businessmen caught up in the Trump administration’s governmentwide deregulation frenzy.

Obama-era rules that had yet to take effect would have given smaller farmers more power to set the terms of their deals with massive meat companies, empowering the growers to sue and better define abusive practices by processors and distributors under federal law. Trump’s Agriculture Department killed two of the proposed rules, one of which would have taken effect in October.

Major agribusinesses like Cargill and Butterball fought the rules, saying they would lead to endless litigation between farmers and global food companies.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/22/turkey-farmers-trump-agriculture-rules-256169

[Brainstormy]

1. we worry a lot about other things

and there's a lot to worry about these days. But Big Food may actually be one of our greatest threats. We're rapidly approaching the point where a handful of conglomerates will control the global food supply. Cargill is one of them.

[pbmus]

7. Really good to know the person who you buy your food from...

If it is not yourself growing or raising your own food.

[dalton99a]

2. I bet most of them voted for him.

[TexasBushwhacker]

4. I bet you're right

Everyone bitches about regulations, except the ones that protect them personally.

[SharonAnn]

10. Never have understood why farmers vote for Republicans. GOP is really their enemy.

[trusty elf]

3. Nothing but bad news from this piece o' shite administration

[justhanginon]

6. Pecker meet Peckerwood!

[underpants]

5. Well, you know, that coal isn't going to mine itself

[NCjack]

8. Well, there you have the message, Mr. Turkey farmer.

"Get Big or Get Out." (1971-76 Sec. of Ag. Earl Butz, under Nixon and Ford)

And, yes there is a difference between DEM and GOP secretaries of ag.

[keithbvadu2]

9. So much for Trump's beloved small farmer, small businessman

So much for Trump's beloved small farmer, small businessman