The Minnesota Farmers Union’s full board of directors have voted to oppose Cargill’s purchase of Sanderson Farms poultry operation. Farmers Union President Gary Wertish says it’s another disturbing sign of the increasing amount of consolidations and concentration hitting the nation’s farmers and ranchers.
He says this latest development reiterates the need for stronger enforcement of the nation’s antitrust laws.
Wertish says his group also wants a legislative solution to the ag concentration problem and they’re working with one of the Senate’s leaders on a specific measure to address that.
Currently Sanderson Farms is the nation’s third largest poultry producer. Meanwhile, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley has sent a letter to the U.S. Justice Department asking for a thorough review of that proposed acquisition.
