The U-S Senate’s Ag Committee has endorsed a bill which would forcemeatpackers to disclose the prices paid for hogs, cattle and lambs. Theprices for livestock sold on the open market, as well as prices paid underprivate contracts with farmers, would have to be reported. Iowa FarmersUnion vice president Gary Hoskey of Montour isn’t ready to rejoice. He saysthe devil is often in the details and he won’t be happy until he sees thewhole plan.Senator Tom Harkin issued a statement yesterday which “applauded” the bill.Harkin said “only a fool would invest in the stock market without fullinformation.” The same, he said, “should go for our farmers and thelivestock industry.” Harkin said “farmers are currently at a hugedisadvantage because they lack critical market information.” If independentproducers do not have information on packer prices and slaughter numbers,Harkin said it’s like “spinning the roulette wheel when they sell theirhogs, cattle or lambs.”
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