Assessment of the Cattle, Hog, Poultry, and Sheep Industries, 2004 Report

摘要

This report has been prepared in response to a requirement in the Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. No. 106-472), enacted on November 9, 2000. Specifically, the Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000 states: not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary (of Agriculture) shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report that (1) assesses the general economic state of the cattle and hog industries; (2) describes the changing business practices in those industries; and (3) identifies market operations or activities in those industries that appear to raise concerns under this (Packers and Stockyards) Act. The Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for administering the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) and delegated that responsibility, through the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, to the Administrator of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). The Packers and Stockyards Programs (P&SP), part of GIPSA, administers and enforces the P&S Act and monitors competitive, financial, and trade practices in the livestock, meatpacking, and poultry industries. This is GIPSAs fourth report to Congress on the general economic state of the cattle and hog industries, changing business practices in those industries, and activities that appear to raise concerns under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act). This is the second report to include the poultry industry. This report also includes responses by the Packers and Stockyards Programs to apparent concerns under the P&S Act. The report covers events and data available as of September 30, 2004, the close of the Governments fiscal year (FY).