In a letter Oct. 1 to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, more than 100 members of the House of Representatives have requested that USDA conduct additional analysis of the economic impacts that would result from passage of the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) marketing rules.

The changes promulgated by GIPSA under the Packers and Stockyards Act go beyond what Congress mandated in the 2008 farm bill, and would significantly change livestock and poultry marketing practices in the United States, warranting a “vigorous” economic analysis of the proposal.

“The analysis contained in the proposed rule fails to demonstrate the need for the rule, assess the impact of its implementation on the marketplace, or establish how the implementation of the rule would address the demonstrated need,” the congressmen wrote.

The legislators have requested that USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist conduct a “thorough” economic analysis.

Groups in favor of the request include the National Pork Producers Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.