PETITION TO ISSUE RULES RESTRICTING CERTAIN LIVESTOCK

                                                       Release No. 0006.97

                                    Dana Stewart (202) 720-5091
                                              dstewart@usda.gov
                                   Jim Petterson (202) 720-4623
                                            jpetterson@usda.gov

USDA SEEKS COMMENT ON PETITION TO ISSUE RULES RESTRICTING CERTAIN
  LIVESTOCK PRACTICES

     WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 1997--The U.S. Department of Agriculture tomorrow
will publish a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on a
petition for rulemaking from the Western Organization of Resource Councils
(WORC) that calls for USDA to restrict certain livestock procurement
practices.

     "USDA understands the concerns that gave rise to this petition," said
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman.  "To evaluate fully the petition, we are
encouraging all interested parties to comment on the important issues it
raises."

     The WORC petition requests that the Secretary of Agriculture initiate
rulemaking under the Packers and Stockyards Act to prohibit packers from
procuring cattle for slaughter through the use of a forward contract unless
certain specified conditions are met, and from owning and feeding cattle
unless the cattle are sold for slaughter in an open, public market.
Comments received will be used by USDA to assess the need for the requested
rulemaking.

     An original and two copies of comments should be submitted on or
before April 14 to the  Deputy Administrator, Packers and Stockyards
Programs, USDA, GIPSA, Stop 3641, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
D.C. 20250-3641.

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