A rule to implement a law requiring meat packers to report the prices they pay producers for food animals has been issued. The Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act was first approved in 1999 - and was then amended and reauthorized in October of 2006. While packers have voluntarily reported livestock prices since the law expired in September of 2005 - the National Pork Producers Council says making the reporting mandatory means USDA can audit reports.

The reauthorized law will take effect July 15^th - and according to NPPC - it includes three enhancements to pork reporting provisions. NPPC says more sows are included in pricing reports to provide a more accurate reflection of the sales and prices paid in the sow market - timing for data reporting is changed to help USDA with its workload - which will increase report accuracy and efficiency - and USDA can publish price distributions for net prices - providing more information that better reflects market situations.

As many pork producers face a time of economic crisis - NPPC President Bryan Black says mandatory price reporting will help producers make business and production decisions that allow them to get the best price for their hogs. The law will ensure producers, packers and other market participants have information on pricing, contracting for purchase and supply and demand conditions for livestock, livestock production and livestock products.