The Biden Administration is striving to improve protections for farmers and ranchers who face predatory and anticompetitive practices by large meatpackers. The South Dakota Farmers Union hosted a panel discussion about market concentration at its annual convention. During that discussion, Justice Department Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michale Kades said there are concerns about the way livestock markets are operating. “We have a commitment to try to promote competitive markets particularly in ag and particularly in livestock.” Oklahoma Farmers Union President Scott Blubaugh emphasized retaliation is real. “We have cattle producers and chicken producers talk to us and tell us what’s going on, but when we ask them to meet with a U.S. Attorney or an investigator they get very, very scared very fast,” said Blubaugh. “That’s because they’re still in business and thee folks that they’re doing business with operate pretty much like the Mafia does and if you testify against the Godfathers, they’re coming after you, right?” This program also included two South Dakota cattle producers.
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