Feedstuffs Magazine January 29, 2001 Grassley hopeful on meatpacker ban By Feedstuffs Washington Bureau WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Four farm-state senators introduced a bill last week that would ban meatpackers from owning livestock for slaughter. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) and Craig Thomas (R., Wyo.). Lead Democratic authors are are Sens. Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle, both of South Dakota. Grassley said the bill will face strong opposition from meatpackers. However, he said strong sentiment for the bill "is percolating up from the grassroots" to Republican senators who might not have sympathized with the issue last year. Johnson, the lead Democrat, said the RANCHER Act will address "agri-megamergers and create a level playing field for independent farmers and ranchers." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]