[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ACT AMENDMENTS

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                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 9, 1999

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Mr. Latham for 
introducing this important legislation and Chairman Combest for 
bringing it to the floor today. As has been well documented, our pork 
producers have been devastated by record-low prices for their products 
over the past year. While live hog prices have fallen dramatically, 
consumer prices are virtually unchanged. Somebody is getting rich at 
the expense of our farmers. Pork producers need better and more up-to-
date information on prices to ensure that they are being treated 
fairly, and I hope the investigation into pork prices prompted by this 
legislation will go a long way towards protecting their interests.
  For too long, the processing and distribution of swine has been 
concentrated in too few hands. This concentration could be dangerous 
for our farmers, and I urge the Senate to move quickly to pass this 
important legislation. Too many small farmers and their families in 
North Carolina depend on swine production for their livelihood for us 
not to take action now. This investigation is a small but important 
step in the right direction and I urge the House to adopt this 
important bill today.

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