The U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a forum Thursday in Ames to collect public input on the implementation of several new livestock laws.

The Ames event is one of three such town meetings nationwide to be conducted by the USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. The meeting will allow the public to provide comments and recommendations about the implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill related to the swine and poultry industries.

A USDA press release states that GIPSA will use comments and recommendations gathered at the three forums to write the regulations needed to implement several new sections of the farm bill dealing with livestock.

The farm bill, which became law earlier this year, includes an all-new livestock title designed to help protect livestock producers from unfair market manipulation.

Specifically, the forum will seek input on Section 11005 and Section 11006 of the farm bill. Section 11005 provides protection for poultry and swine producers, allowing them to decline contract arbitration as the only means of settling contract disputes. Section 11006 is designed to protect against undue preferences in livestock markets and bolster regulation.

The Ames event will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16 in Ames at the Iowa State University Scheman Building. The only other GIPSA town hall meetings will be held in Arkansas and Georgia.