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'Decades of consolidation in meatpacking has significantly limited the options that producers have,' he said.

June 4, 2021

1 Min Read
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A cattle drive proceeds in Montana.USDA ARS

In a joint-letter with governors from South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Iowa, Montana's Gov. Greg Gianforte urged the U.S. Department of Justice to continue its investigation into allegations of anticompetitive behavior in the meatpacking industry.

“Decades of consolidation in meatpacking has significantly limited the options that producers have to market their cattle and has created a situation where one segment of the beef industry has near total control over the entire market,” Gianforte and other governors wrote to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “We urge you to continue to investigate this matter with the urgency it calls for.”

In May 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the nation’s four largest meatpackers whose anticompetitive behavior is threatening Montana cattle producers.

Governor Gianforte was joined in signing the letter by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Read the letter here.

Source: Montana Department of Agriculture, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. 

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