A32-Lancast«r Farming, Saturday, June 7,1986
Grange Testifies
Against Market
Manipulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In
testimony before the Senate
Judiciary Committee here today,
Mark C. Nestlen, Legislative
Representative for the National
Grange, warned Congress that
farmers are likely to be victimized
by price reductions caused by
market manipulation in the
agriculture marketing system and
that failure to permit farmers to
sue in those circumstances causes
a grave injustice.
Nestlen’s remarks were in
support of the proposed Antitrust
Improvement Act of 1986, which
will, in part, provide for indirect
seller suits to be brought by State
Attorneys General on behalf of
farmers and ranchers who produce
and sell agricultural products. The
legislation is in response to the 1977
Supreme Court decision in Illinois
Brick which prohibits all but the
direct buyer or seller to sue for
damages that have been passed on
due to anticompetitive activities.
“This decision unfairly affects
farmers because it fails to
recognize the unique competitive
structure of the food and fiber
system,” said the Grange
spokesman. The perfectly com
petitive farmer is sandwiched
between an imperfectly-structured
input market and an oligopolistic
out-put market. Nestlen said, “In
short, agricultural producers have
little control over the prices they
pay or the prices they receive
while non-agricultural industries
have varying degrees of market
power and, within limits, the
capacity to adjust their prices.”
While the Grange accuses no one
of price fixing or market
manipulation, Nestlen described
how the food manufacturing in
dustry could act collusively in its
pricing. He said, “This legislation
will maintain the strict standards
of proof and the procedures of
antitrust litigation and indicts no
one for antitrust offenses.” Nestlen
concluded, “Simply, the farmer
would have his day in court if the
producer and the Attorney General
feel that there has been a
violation.”
Cumberland Word Growers
Seek Queen Candidate
CARLISLE The Cumberland
Cooperative Sheep and Wool
Growers are seeking a candidate
to sponsor in the Pennsylvania
Lamb and Wool Queen Contest,
held annually in conjunction with
the Keystone International
Livestock Exposition.
To qualify, the candidate must
be a young lady who has reached
her 17th birthday by Oct. 1, 1986,
and not have reached her 23rd
birthday by that date.
For an entry blank, contact
Donna Duncan, 49 “E' 1 Street,
Carlisle, Pa. 17013; phone, 717-243-
8069. All entries must be received
by July 15,1986.
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