Trump issues executive orders to examine barriers facing U.S. ranchers 

(Photo by Tomasz Zielonka via Unsplash.)

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Sept. 4 directing federal agencies to address issues affecting United States ranchers, including regulations, livestock predation, beef labeling, meat processing, and competition in livestock markets. 

One order, “Supporting Americas ranchers,” calls for a broad review of federal regulations and policies affecting cattle producers. The second, “Promoting fair competition in livestock markets and expanding market access for American meat producers,” focuses on enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act and expanding interstate market access for meat processed by smaller operations. 

“Today, the President laid out tools to better equip farmers and ranchers to deal with dangerous predators threatening their livestock, provide more transparency for consumers on where their meat originates, and expand market opportunities while maintaining our world class food safety standards,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “President Trump is focused on delivering an America First agenda and will do that by continuing to put our Ranchers First.” 

Rancher regulations and beef labeling 

The first order directs the secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, the U.S. trade representative, the commissioner of Food and Drugs and the administrator of the Small Business Administration to assess regulations, guidance and other agency policies affecting ranchers. 

Those officials have 90 days to submit recommendations for actions aimed at improving the financial viability and market access of American ranchers. 

The order separately directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to review legal authorities that could allow mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. The department must provide an economic analysis reflecting current conditions and modernized practices. 

Based on the review, USDA may issue or amend regulations requiring mandatory country-of-origin labeling to the extent permitted by law or develop legislative recommendations. 

This order also directs agencies to pursue measures in a manner intended to benefit consumers through lower prices to the maximum extent possible. 

Wolf management and predation 

The order also directs the Department of the Interior to determine within 90 days whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves have met recovery criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act. If the department determines the criteria have been met, it is directed to begin the applicable process. 

The administration also is directed to develop a legislative recommendation for delisting or downlisting the wolves. If federal recovery criteria are determined to have been met, federal officials are directed to engage with states regarding state protections and standards for lethal taking of wolves in response to livestock predation. 

The order calls for USDA and the Interior Department to consider changes to producer compensation regulations and related policies for livestock depredation claims. The agencies are directed to consider standards for investigating depredation claims and factors beyond subcutaneous hemorrhaging when assessing claims. 

The Interior Department also is directed to consider changes that could allow greater emergency responsiveness, including precision targeting, when wolves pose threats to human safety or domestic livestock. 

Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement 

The second executive order addresses meat processing and competition in livestock and meat markets. 

It directs the secretary of agriculture to prioritize and expand investigations into potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, with particular attention to potentially unfair, discriminatory or deceptive practices, undue preferences or advantages, and conduct that restricts commerce or manipulates prices. 

The USDA is directed to increase resources, staffing and investigative capacity within its Packers and Stockyards Division, Office of General Counsel and Office of Inspector General. The department is to coordinate with the Department of Justice on cases and antitrust actions where appropriate. 

Within 60 days, the secretary is directed to submit a report to the president detailing current enforcement actions, resource needs and a plan for heightened enforcement during the following year. 

The order also directs USDA to review regulations, guidance and enforcement policies under the Packers and Stockyards Act and make changes, when appropriate and consistent with law, to strengthen protections for producers. 

Smaller processors and interstate markets 

Another portion of the order focuses on interstate sales by smaller meat processors. USDA is directed to accelerate outreach and streamline processes intended to increase state participation in the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program and Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program. 

The department also is directed to create technical assistance and training programs for small and very small processors and establish an accessible online resource with information about local slaughter and processing availability. 

The order calls for modernization of meat inspection to focus on core food safety, improve processing efficiency and technology, and lower costs. The USDA is also directed to consider removing inspection reporting requirements and other prescriptive requirements that do not advance essential food safety needs, consistent with applicable law. 

The department must submit reports within 60 days assessing participation in cooperative inspection programs and identifying statutory, regulatory and trade barriers to interstate commerce for state-inspected or custom-exempt meat products. 

The order further directs USDA to take appropriate action to establish a Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers guaranteed loan program for small and regional beef processors. The program would be intended to help processors continue operating, expand, and increase the diversity of animal proteins processed. 

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].