MFU Commends Governor Gianforte

MFU Commends Governor Gianforte for Urging the DOJ to Continue Investigation into Meatpacking Industry

Great Falls, MT- Montana Farmers Union applauds Governor Greg Gianforte for signing on to joint letter last week calling for the DOJ to continue to investigate anticompetitive meat practices by the nation’s four largest meatpackers. The letter refers to an investigation launched by the DOJ in May of 2020. It cites decades of consolidation in the industry which has limited options for producers to market their cattle resulting in high beef prices for the consumer with ranchers seeing only a small return on their product.

“The four big packers are dominating the beef market at the expense of the ranchers and consumers, and it has to stop,” said Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer.” We appreciate Governor Gianforte taking steps to stand up for the Montana rancher and consumer by urging the DOJ to continue their investigation of the meatpacking industry. The packers’ practices are devastating our rural communities. This effort by the governor is a step in the right direction.”

Governor Gianforte was joined in signing the letter by his counterparts in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and Oklahoma. You can read the letter here.