SerpApi.Org
Independent meat producers in the Pacific Northwest are decrying a move by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to repeal three rules producers said prevented discrimination in the meat and poultry industries.
One 2024 rule barred meat processing facilities from retaliating against producers based on race, gender or co-op membership.
Alice Morrison, co-executive director of the advocacy group Friends of Family Farmers, said limited access to USDA-inspected facilities already stifles independent growers and the rollback will only worsen the bottleneck.
"Our farmers are getting 12- to 18-month wait times quoted to them for processing slots," Morrison reported. "Before you even start the farm, you need to figure out your processing because if there's no way to bring your product to market, you shouldn't dig yourself into that financial hole of raising those animals."
Morrison argued rescinding the rules will allow processing facilities to favor farmers with corporate contracts over smaller operations.
National Chicken Council President Mike Brown called the rules “anti-business” and said they would lead to higher prices for consumers.
Emily Miller, staff attorney for the nonprofit Food and Water Watch, said the rules were put in place in order to counter the effects of what Miller called “hyperconsolidation” in the meat industry.
Miller noted just four companies control the majority of chicken and pork processing and 85% of beef processing. Miller added removing the rules will prioritize corporate interests.
"We need robust enforcement of antitrust and fair trade practice laws to finally protect producers from unfair and illegal conduct. And unfortunately, these rollbacks will do just the opposite," Miller contended.
Research shows monopolies on feed, fertilizer and processing plants lead to higher prices for consumers and lower profits for farmers.
