| Mandatory Price Reporting for Lamb Approved by Congress |
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The Mandatory Price Reporting (MPR) program was approved this week by the U.S. House of Representatives for a one-year extension. This action follows the approval of the one-year extension in October by the U.S. Senate. “Reauthorization of MPR for lamb has been a top priority for the American sheep industry,” stated American Sheep Industry Association Executive Director Peter Orwick. “We applaud the U.S. House for extending the authorization of the reporting system.” The authorization expired in late October. However, U.S. lamb companies continued to report lamb information in anticipation that Congress would in fact reauthorize the program in November. In addition to continuing the current lamb-price reports, wholesale prices of imported lamb will be included under a regulation finalized with USDA this fall. “The lamb price-reporting system is, by USDA regulation, under the authorization, so we have been able to update and modify the lamb-reporting system since implementation in 2001,” added Orwick. The legislation now heads to the White House for President Bush’s signature.
Source: ASI Weekly |