Bills to Increase Competition Pass Senate Ag Committee

FU Applauds Movement on Bills to Increase Competition in the Meat and Poultry Sector

The Senate Agriculture Committee’s passing of two bills this week that would increase competition in the meat and poultry sector was met with praise by Montana Farmers Union.

“MFU appreciates the work Senator Jon Tester has put into getting the Special Investigator and the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency acts to this point,” MFU President Walter Schweitzer said. “This is a bipartisan effort to rein in the packers. For too long, the packers have been taking advantage of the consumers and ranchers by price gouging them both. These acts will shed light on their anti-competitive activities and give the DOJ and the USDA the tools to hold them accountable.”

The Senate committee favorably reported S. 3870, the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022, and S. 4030, the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act. The price discovery bill would preserve cash markets and establish regional minimums for cash trades, as well as establish a contract library. The special investigator bill would increase enforcement of competition laws and boost USDA’s resources to investigate abusive market practices.

The bills’ passage from committee was hailed by National Farmers Union as a sign of momentum on issues facing farmers and ranchers after decades of consolidation in the livestock industry. These bills, paired with the recent House passage of the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act are great strides forward in NFU’s work for Fairness for Farmers.

Through its Fairness for Farmers campaign, NFU has been working to bring many of the issues addressed by this legislation into the national spotlight, including pushing back against corporate monopolies, broadening market opportunities, expanding processing capabilities, and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities.

“Farmers Union has been advocating for the family farmer for over 100 years, and this is just one more example how a united voice can make a difference,” Schweitzer said. 

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Press Information: montanafarmersunion.com/media-press-kit/

MFU President Walter Schweitzer: 406-799-3782

Montana Farmers Union has worked more than 100 years for family farms, ranches, and rural communities. MFU supports its members through: Strong education programs for both youth and adults, by advocating member-driven policies and legislation at the state and federal level, and cooperation through producer-owned co-ops. For more information, visit montanafarmersunion.com.