Lawmakers Introduce Bill Designed to Address Market Concentration Within U.S. Farm Sector

Friday, June 3rd, 2022 -- 9:01 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) A group of Democrat lawmakers are introducing a bill designed to address market concentration within the U.S. farm sector.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan, along with Senators Cory Booker, Jon Tester, Jeff Merkley, and Elizabeth Warren tabled the Food and Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 2022 on May 18 in the House and Senate, respectively.

Sponsors of the measure say it would impose a moratorium on large agribusiness, food and beverage manufacturing, and grocery retail mergers. In addition, the bill calls for the creation of the Food and Agriculture Concentration and Market Power Review Commission.

That panel would examine the effects of concentration in the food and ag sectors and provide recommendations on how to change antitrust laws to ensure ag is fair and competitive.

"Corporate profiteering and out-of-control consolidation by big agricultural firms have led to increased prices at every point on the food chain, from the farm to the grocery store," Pocan said. "Congress must do more to help local farmers be competitive while providing greater market transparency to the American consumer.”

Meanwhile, the policy has the backing of one farm group. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says his organization has an issue with four beef packers controlling about 85 percent of the U.S. market.

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