Delaying the IFR, which was set to become effective April 22, allows the new Agriculture Secretary to review the rule and comments submitted in late March. The agency also will publish tomorrow a proposed rule seeking comment regarding whether the IFR should be permanently withdrawn, among other options.
“The delay is imperative to ensure this damaging rule does not take effect without a careful review by the new Administration,” said Carpenter. “We are confident that once the new Secretary of Agriculture takes office, he will recognize what a disaster this rule is for producers, meat packers and processors, retailers and consumers.”
“The IFR also is inconsistent with a Presidential Executive Order on reducing regulations and controlling costs”
The Meat Institute previously submitted comments on the IFR, as well as two earlier proposed rules, calling for the agency to abandon all of them.
“Allowing the IFR to become effective would simply line the pockets of trial lawyers, while making our industry less competitive and our livestock producer-partners less profitable,” Carpenter said. The IFR also is inconsistent with a Presidential Executive Order on reducing regulations and controlling costs, which requires that two regulations must be identified for repeal before a new regulation may move forward.
“Quite simply, neither the IFR nor the previously proposed rules should see the light of day,” said Carpenter. “They violate the intent of Congress, numerous court rulings and the Administration’s desire to reduce regulations and control costs, and they will undermine the meat industry’s ability to meet consumer demand. The Administration’s action delaying the IFR is prudent and warranted.”
Source: Meatbusiness