As promised, the Justice Department has settled its antitrust lawsuit against Agri-Stats. Six other states, including Minnesota, are also part of this settlement. The Indiana-based data company was accused of sharing market-sensitive information with meat packers, which resulted in collusion and higher consumer meat prices. With the settlement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Agri-Stats pricing reports will be available to all buyers and sellers and level the playing field. The DOJ announcement came 12 days before the case was scheduled to go to trial.
