ASI Submits Price Reporting Comments

August 17, 2007 - In response to the request by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) submitted the following comments on the proposed regulations to re-establish the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program.

ASI supports the proposed rule and requests that the final rules be published as quickly as possible. The sheep industry also agrees with the AMS statement in the proposed rule, which includes minor changes to lamb reporting to reduce the reporting burden on lamb packers and to provide more meaningful information in agency reports.

"Our industry appreciates those lamb companies that have continued to provide the price reports voluntarily for the nearly two years since the lapse of congressional authorization," wrote Burdell Johnson, ASI president, in his comments to the agency.

In closing, ASI reminded the agency of the urgency to finalize the rule and to resume mandatory price reporting for lamb. On Sept. 17, 2007, Livestock Risk Protection-Lamb will be available for sale, and this insurance product relies on the weekly data generated from mandatory price reporting.

Comments are due by Sept. 7. Copies of the proposed rule and additional information can be found at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/07-3857.htm.
Staff contact: Peter Orwick, ext. 33

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