Minnesota Farmers Union

St. Paul (August 26, 2010) - On Friday, August 27, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) Vice President Gary Wertish of Renville and MFU member Tim Velde of Granite Falls will be attending the Department of Justice and the United States Department of Agriculture's workshop about the livestock industry where concentration in the livestock markets, buyer power, and the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act will be discussed. The workshop will be held in Fort Collins, Colorado.

"The proposed rule changed for the Grain Inspection Stockyards and Packers Administration makes this workshop very timely, and Minnesota Farmers Union is proud to make sure livestock farmers have a seat at the table and their voices are heard," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. "The proposed rule change would end secret packer processor buying practices and hold packer processors accountable to competitive bid and market practices and we will be there to make sure that message and its importance are heard."

The workshop will begin with opening remarks and a roundtable discussion including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Antitrust Division Christine Varney. Following this there will be three panels composed of ranchers, farmers, academics and other industry stakeholders. First, Secretary Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Varney will moderate a conversation among producers and feeders. Second, a panel on trends will look at developments in the industry in recent decades and the trajectory moving forward. The final panel will then discuss in greater depth issues such as contracting, transparency and vertical integration.  Additionally, there will be three hours dedicated to public testimony. This will be split into two sessions, one at mid-day and the other after the final panel.

To speak with Gary Wertish, MFU Vice President, before, during, or after the workshop, please call 651.262.7128.