WASHINGTON, DC – As cattlemen and industry representatives become exhausted with the disconnect between prices paid to sellers and record profits for meat packers, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) on Wednesday called on the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing on the possible improper and anti-competitive activity in the cattle market.
Thune also spoke on the Senate floor about his ongoing effort to press the Department of Justice to investigate this potentially uncompetitive behavior.
He recently encouraged Attorney General Merrick Garland to make this investigation a priority so ranchers and consumers can learn more about how this is affecting cattle prices and prices at grocery stores across the country.
Thune noted that while the Justice Department agreed to start an investigation following an earlier request, they haven’t shown any indication that the investigation is ongoing.
This comes on the heels of a recent meeting between rival cattle groups whereby they all joined forces calling an expedited renewal of Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) and urging the DOJ to investigate.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)