EMERSON SAYS FARMERS NEED REGULATORY RELIEF

JACKSON -- U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson says more needs to be done to relieve cattlemen and pork producers from burdensome Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, addressed more than 100 farmers at a meeting Monday night of the SEMO Cattlemen and Pork Producers in Jackson.

Emerson voiced concern that the agricultural economy is controlled by a few processors and packers.

"I am most disappointed that some in the federal government do not agree with our local producers on this issue," she said.

Last Thursday, Kansas City Federal Reserve economist Mark Drabenstott told the House Agriculture Committee that the trend towards consolidation of agricultural enterprises produces efficiencies and lower food prices.

But Emerson said, "The concentration of packers is certainly a concern to our red meat producers and it is my intent to focus attention on this issue."

At the Jackson meeting, Emerson and the farmers discussed a variety of agricultural issues, including the need for mandatory price reporting by packers and processors and country-of-origin labeling.