Biden Announces Plans to Combat Consolidation in Meat Industry

On Monday, January 3rd, President Biden joined cabinet leaders from USDA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to lay out plans to address competition issues facing the meatpacking industry. Expressing concern for consumer prices and prices paid to farmers, President Biden expressed a need for greater anti-trust oversight and a need to provide more a more competitive and resilient meat and poultry supply chain.

Part of the announcement inclulded a plan by the administration to make available $1 billion of American Rescue Plan Funds to finance and support independent meat processing projects. In addition, it was announced that USDA and DOJ would work to review the marketplace and take appropriate actions. It was also announced that new rulemakings and services were under development to protect consumers and farmers.

More below:

https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/16991-biden-administration-rolls-out-meat-industry-investments-reform-plans

https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/16993-vilsack-expects-wide-variety-of-meat-processing-businesses-will-receive-usda-funding

https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/livestock/article/2022/01/03/biden-pledges-beefed-enforcement-act

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/03/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-event-with-farmers-ranchers-on-his-action-plan-for-a-more-competitive-meat-and-poultry-supply-chain/

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2022/01/03/agriculture-department-and-justice-department-issue-shared

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-and-agriculture-department-issue-shared-principles-and-commitments-protect

https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-delivers-remarks-roundtable-promoting-competition-and