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GIPSA funding left out of ’12 House passed bill

US House lawmakers approve a funding bill to prevent the USDA from finalizing its proposed GIPSA rule.  Today the House voted 217 – 203 to pass legislation that funds USDA and other related agencies for 2012 but denies money for USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration regulation.  Last month 147 House members wrote Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to reconsider the GIPSA rule, saying the proposed rule goes beyond the intent of Congress.

Leading meat and poultry groups are pleased with today’s action by the US House on a rule that they say would have cost them millions of dollars and lead to thousands of lost jobs.