Release No.  0320.98

Statement                          of
           Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman on the 
     Judicial Officer's Decision and Order in the IBP Case
                         August 5, 1998
                                
       "It is vitally important that small and medium-size producers get a fair
shake in the marketplace.  That is why USDA has been so active in promoting
competition in the livestock industry and other agricultural industries.  

       "The recent decision in the IBP case is significant.  It confirms that
USDA has broad powers to protect all producers against unfair, anti-competitive practices and that our enforcement focus should be on harm to
competitors.  It also prohibits IBP from engaging in a particularly anti-competitive practice, the so-called "right of first refusal," in which the
company may obtain livestock by matching the highest previous bid.  

       "The decision also underscores the need for Congress to fully fund our
plan to restructure the Packers and Stockyards Program.  This restructuring
will strengthen the Program's economic and statistical capabilities, further
enhancing our enforcement tools to promote fair competition for all ranchers." 


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