Fighting against the corporate concentration of our food supply is an ongoing battle. Today, you can make a difference.

A small handful of giant meatpackers and processors have been underpaying and unfairly treating farmers and ranchers for decades. Please take a few moments of your day this Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday to call the White House and tell President Obama that you support the proposed livestock and poultry competition rules (also called the “GIPSA” rules) to improve the lives of farmers and ranchers and the prosperity of rural communities.

On February 14, 15, and 16 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., hundreds will participate in “Love the American Farmer and Rancher” call in day. USDA’s proposed GIPSA rules would greatly benefit livestock and poultry producers across the country. However, the big meat packers and processors have pushed back against the rule, spreading false information and lobbying hard to protect their own greedy bottom line. The Obama Administration needs to hear from working farmers and ranchers (and those that love them) that these rules need to be finalized now.

You can help!

• Call 202-456-1111 to reach the White House Comment Line (you may need to call back if the line is busy)
• Share the message below (or something similar)

“My name is _______ from _________ (city and/or state) calling in support of USDA’s proposed GIPSA rule. This rule would level the playing field for livestock and poultry producers and make our markets more competitive and fair. This rule must be finalized to protect our farmers and ranchers from retaliation and unfair trade practices of big packers. I encourage USDA to finish and implement the GIPSA proposed rule as quickly as possible. Thank you.”

*Farmers and ranchers: Please be sure to introduce yourself as a farmer or rancher*

• Calls are best but if you can’t get through you can send an email here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
• Reply to this message or click here to let us know that you called.

Contract poultry farmers are caught in an unfair system, a system that traps them in debt and forces them to take whatever contracts they are offered. No matter how hard these farmers work, they will not be paid fairly. If they speak up, they face retaliation. At any time, they could lose their contract and lose their family farm. For more information on the how the GIPSA rules help poultry producers, go to the Rural Advancement Foundation International USA (RAFI) website.

For more information on how the GIPSA rules help independent livestock producers, go to the Center for Rural Affairs website.