2011 GIPSA Rule >> Contract Agriculture Reform

New Protections for Poultry Farmers
A new rule issued by the USDA protects contract poultry farmers from unfair practices, but restrictions placed on the USDA by Congress mean important sections were left out.

Press Release: Poultry Growers Gain New Protections

Read a summary of what the rule does and what that means for farmers.

The rule sets forth new criteria that the USDA will consider when determining if companies are acting in violation of the law:

  • Whether companies gave 90 days’ written notice before suspending delivery of birds to a farmer.
  • Whether farmers are required to make significant investments in their facilities if their processing plant will be closing, if other growers with similar facilities aren’t required to make similar upgrades, if they were coerced or threatened with retaliation, or if they cannot reasonably expect to recoup their investment.
  • Whether companies provide a clear way for farmers to choose to keep their right to be heard in court, without facing retaliation.
Read the full USDA rule.

RAFI and the Farmers' Legal Action Group are developing a fact sheet to help farmers understand their new rights. For more information, contact Becky Ceartas, becky@rafiusa.org, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Every farmer who has spoken up for this rule has taken a personal risk. They put everything on the line - their homes, their livelihoods, the legacy they hope to leave to their children.
Becky Ceartas, RAFI

Speaking out could cost families their farms.
A Long Fight for Fair Treatment
Contract poultry farmers are subject to abusive contracts that can leave them stranded with hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt.

The new rules are the result of years of advocacy by family farmers and their allies.

Read more on the RAFI blog.

Analysis from the Ag Policy Center
  • A GIPSA study and its analysis September 23, 2011
  • Negative reaction to GIPSA rule may actually reinforce its justification September 16, 2011
  • GIPSA: Does discriminatory behavior include issues of unequal access? September 9, 2011
    		•
    Media Highlights from the Campaign
    October 12, 2011. Fairness for Eastern Shore poultry farmers. Opinion editorial by grower Carole Morrison.The Baltimore Sun.

    August 24, 2011. Easing the plight of poultry growers. Letter to the editor by grower Craig Watts. The News & Observer.

    May 24, 2011. Protecting our poultry farmers. Letter to the editor. The News & Observer.

    June 28, 2010. New rules address poultry growers' concerns. Fayetteville Observer.

    June 24, 2010. Chicken farmers to gain protection. Delmarva Now!

    June 21, 2010. USDA rule change would protect growers. Winston-Salem Journal.

    June 18, 2010. USDA releases antitrust proposal: New rule meant to protect farmers. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

    Read older articles on the RAFI blog.