AMS No. 085-12

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

Samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks comments on a proposed rule that implements an amendment to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require swine packers to report wholesale pork sales.

The proposed rule outlines what information packers will be required to submit to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), how the information should be submitted and other program requirements. The proposed rule requires packers to submit the price of each sale, quantity, and other characteristics (e.g., type of sale, item description, destination) that AMS will use to produce market reports that will be disseminated to the public.

“Implementing a mandatory wholesale pork reporting program will provide market participants with considerably more market information than they have had in the past,” said Craig Morris, the Deputy Administrator of the AMS Livestock and Seed Program. “Further, a mandatory wholesale pork reporting program will ensure that accurate, unbiased market information is available to all market participants, ultimately benefitting consumers through improved price discovery in the sector.”

Currently, AMS collects and disseminates information on daily sales and price information from pork processors on a voluntary basis. The Mandatory Price Reporting Act of 2010, passed by Congress, added wholesale pork cuts to the commodities required to be reported by larger packers through the livestock mandatory reporting program. Cattle, swine, sheep, boxed beef, boxed lamb, and imported lamb meat already are covered under the program.

Notice of the proposed rule will be published in the March 23, 2012 Federal Register. Comments must be received by May 22, 2012. Comments should be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov or to Michael Lynch, Director; USDA, AMS, LS, LGMN Division; 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2619-S; Washington, D.C. 20250; telephone number (202) 720-6231; or fax (202) 690-3732. Comments should reference docket number AMS-LS-11-0049 and note the date and page number of the issue of the Federal Register. Submitted comments will be available for public inspection at www.regulations.gov, or during regular business hours at the above address. For further information contact Michael Lynch at the address or telephone number noted above or at Michael.Lynch@ams.usda.gov.

#