A pair of Senators are seeking an antitrust investigation into the meatpacking industry. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat and Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican are asking the Federal Trade Commission to open that investigation. Lia Biondo of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association says her group backs that move by the Senators and has wanted to see that for some time.
She says they’re also pleased the Ag Secretary has expanded the USDA’s look into possible market manipulation by the large meat packers.
Biondo says Congress also needs to make sure processing plants stay open so what happened to the pork industry with the backup of hogs doesn’t occur to the cattle industry.
The Senators say the Federal Trade Commission has the power to shed light on growing competition and security problems in the meat packing industry.