Dusty Johnson: “the amendment pending aims to protect America's livestock producers from the overwhelming market domination of a few…”

“the amendment pending aims to protect America's livestock producers from the overwhelming market domination of a few meatpackers. My amendment is based upon bipartisan legislation I introduced earlier this year, S. 142, which strengthens the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, by prohibiting large meatpackers from owning livestock prior to slaughter. This amendment is cosponsored by my friend Senator Grassley, as well as Senator Wellstone, the Agriculture Committee chairman, Senator Harkin, Senator Thomas, Senator Daschle, and Senator Dorgan. All of these Senators have cosponsored my bill, which enjoys bipartisan support. I applaud my colleagues for their leadership on this issue, and especially thank Senator Wellstone for offering this amendment in the Agriculture Committee. Unfortunately, it was defeated, but with more information about what our amendment does, and doesn't do, I believe we'll gain much more support here on the floor. Mr. President, let me address specifically what our amendment does; First, it bans large meatpackers from owning slaughter cattle, hogs, and lambs for more than 14 days prior to the time in which these livestock are slaughtered. Second, it exempts producer-owned cooperatives engaged in slaughter and meatpacking.”