HS HCS HB 4 -- LIVESTOCK MARKETING (Shoemyer)

This substitute repeals the right of sellers of livestock who
are discriminated against by packers to receive treble damages,
costs, and reasonable attorney fees. It also repeals the right
of any person injured by a violation of the livestock marketing
law to bring suit under Chapter 407, RSMo.

Provisions requiring a packer purchasing livestock for slaughter
not to discriminate in prices paid to sellers of that livestock
are replaced with provisions that make it unlawful for a packer
to:

(1)  Engage in any unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive
practice;

(2)  Give any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to
any person or location in any respect whatsoever;

(3)  Sell or transfer to, for, or from any other packer with the
effect of apportioning the supply between the packers,
restraining trade, or creating a monopoly;

(4)  Sell or transfer any article with the effect of
manipulating or controlling prices;

(5)  Engage in any business practice for the purpose of
manipulating or controlling prices, creating a monopoly, or
restraining commerce; or

(6)  Conspire with any other person to apportion territory for
carrying on business, apportion purchases, or control prices.

The provisions of the substitute are to be enforced by the
Attorney General in a manner consistent with the Packers and
Stockyards Act (7 U.S.C.A. section 181).

The current expiration date of December 31, 2002, is extended to
December 31, 2003 as it relates to the sale of live cattle,
swine, and sheep.

The substitute has an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 19, 2001 at 4:30 pm