Harkin Calls for USDA Intervention

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Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has urged USDA to intervene on behalf of producers and auction barns who have not received payment for livestock or poultry sold to Agriprocessors of Postville, Iowa. The Senator believes many of these producers and auction barns are already operating at a loss due to low market prices. He says if they go unpaid their own prospects for remaining in business are greatly reduced.

According to Harkin, - It has become apparent that USDA has allowed this company to operate insolvent causing further financial injury to producers and auction barns operations. He challenged USDA to - step up its actions immediately and make clear that unpaid sellers of livestock and poultry receive what they are owed and not be tangled up in bankruptcy court proceedings.

Enacted in 1921, the Packers and Stockyards Act requires that packers maintain a bond and trust for the benefit of sellers to ensure they are paid in full. The Senator says the act - clearly provides protections to producers to ensure they receive prompt payment for livestock or poultry, but that only applies when the law is enforced.