Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding Major Meatpackers Subpoenaed in DOJ Antitrust Investigation
LINCOLN, NEB. – We are very pleased to see the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) acting to investigate the largest players in the meatpacking industry.
“As we noted in our letter to Attorney General William Barr back in April requesting an investigation, Following a fire and subsequent closure of a beef processing plant in Kansas and now the current COVID-19 situation, America’s cattle producers have seen sharp declines in market prices and large margin increases for the meat packing sector. Both events have highlighted long-term concerns expressed by cattle producers and now is the time for the DOJ to fully examine the situation and fully prosecute any wrongdoing. During these uncertain times, it is important that our nation’s food producers have confidence in the marketplace knowing that our nation’s laws are being properly followed and enforced.”
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service. and advocacy efforts. More than 58,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.
