Before adjourning until mid-November, senators passed by voice vote and sent to the White House a bill to update the Packers and Stockyards Act, which oversees livestock sales, to cover electronic transactions, such as sales online. The House passed the bill, HR 5883, on Monday, also by voice vote.
“Today was a huge step forward for the livestock marketing industry bringing our main regulatory law, which dates back to 1921, into the 21st Century with some common-sense updates,” said Dan Harris, chairman of the Livestock Marketing Association. Farm groups also supported the bill sponsored by Rep. David Rouzer, a North Carolina Republican.
Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts said the bill makes clear that “modern business practices are permitted” under law. Backers say the bill allows payment by credit card or electronic transfer of funds.