Grassley Joins Colleagues in Urging Department of Justice to Continue Investigation into Beef Industry

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today joined Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and several colleagues in urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to continue the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the nation’s four biggest meatpackers. The bicameral letter also requested that DOJ provide Congress with updates on its investigation and encouraged ongoing vigilance on this issue.

 

“Cattle producers, especially small feeders, are again experiencing difficult conditions that are threatening their ability to stay in business. With a tight supply chain, any changes in processing capacity can have a dramatic impact on cattle prices, preventing producers from capturing margin from boxed beef rallies”

 

“It is critically important that producers have fair and transparent markets for the commodities they produce. We urge the DOJ Antitrust Division to continue vigilance and where possible, provide updates of findings,” the members wrote.

 

The letter was also signed by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Liz Cheney, (R-Wyo.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.).  

 

Grassley is a longtime advocate for cattle producers and enhanced transparency in the meatpacking industry. On March 13, 2020, Grassley sent a letter with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) regarding whether an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act. Later that month, Grassley called upon both USDA and the DOJ to investigate potential market manipulation and other illegal activity by large meatpacking companies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Grassley also recently reintroduced his bipartisan bill to increase transparency in the cattle market. This bill will make systemic changes to the cattle industry to ensure longevity of independent producers, which will protect our country’s beef supply. 

 

Full text of the letter can be found HERE.