(NAFB.com) – The USDA announced new action to support a fairer, more competitive, and more resilient meat and poultry supply chain. USDA’s “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets” proposed rule would tackle longstanding challenges around interpretations of unfairness and competitive injury for the livestock, meat, and poultry sectors. The rule is designed to support farmers and growers and reduce food costs for consumers. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement during an event at the Center for American Progress showcasing the push to create more affordable and competitive agricultural markets. The event highlighted USDA’s wide-ranging progress to enhance the Department’s ability to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act, including previous rulemaking and an enforcement partnership with the Department of Justice. “The proposed rule stands for clear and transparent standards so that markets function fairly and competitively for consumers and producers alike,” Vilsack says. “It’s designed to give farmers a fairer shake.”