Beef Industry Reacts To Schumer Meatpacking Bill

It’s the Ranch It Up Radio Show Herd It Here Weekly Report!  A 3-minute look at cattle markets, reports, news info, or anything that has to do with those of us who live at the end of dirt roads.  Join Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt, the Boss Lady Rebecca Wanner aka 'BEC' by subscribing on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel.

Mixed Reactions to Schumer Meatpacking Bill

Late last week Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced the “Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act” that aims to deconsolidate the U.S. beef-packing industry, address foreign ownership of beef-packing facilities, and focus on eliminating unfair and unjustly discriminatory pricing practices in retail and wholesale meat markets.

Schumer said the forthcoming food-price legislation would focus on consolidation in meat and agriculture, arguing that market concentration allows large companies to squeeze producers while raising prices for consumers. The proposal would also call for a review of foreign-owned meat companies operating in the U.S., potentially affecting firms such as JBS and Smithfield Foods.

This announcement received mixed reactions from leading cattle industry groups.  According to the Meat Institute, they say the proposal would require meat companies that process multiple species to divest operations and focus on only one species.   They say the proposal is absurd and described the legislation as reckless election year pandering that threatens to damage a crucial industry at the center of every American Meal.  

R-Calf CEO Bill Bullard said “Senator Schumer’s legislation targets the same concentration problems that President Trump has also prioritized. President Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate the nation’s largest beef packers for potential collusion, price-fixing, and price manipulation — and issued an executive order directing the DOJ and FTC to form task forces to determine whether beef prices are being distorted throughout the supply chain. Senator Schumer’s bill similarly calls on the FTC to address concentration-driven distortions in retail beef prices.  He said this bipartisan attention is exactly what is needed to spark a meaningful, nationwide debate on restoring competition in cattle and beef markets.

References:

https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/statement-on-introduction-of-the-family-grocery-and-farmer-relief-act

https://meatingplace.com/democrats-introduce-plan-targeting-meat-industry-consolidation

https://meatingplace.com/industry-group-calls-schumer-meatpacking-bill-absurd

Upcoming Feeder Cattle, Bull & Cow Sales On RanchChannel.Com

Lots of feeder cattle, steers & heifers, bulls, and cow sales coming up on the RanchChannel.Com sale calendar.  Check out the full line up HERE.

SPONSORS

Jorgensen Land & Cattle

https://jorgensenfarms.com/

@JorLandCat

Ranch Channel

https://ranchchannel.com/

@RanchChannel

Questions & Concerns From The Field?

Call or Text your questions, or comments to 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420

Or email RanchItUpShow@gmail.com

FOLLOW Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow

SUBSCRIBE to the Ranch It Up YouTube Channel: @ranchitup

Website: RanchItUpShow.com

https://ranchitupshow.com/

The Ranch It Up Podcast is available on ALL podcasting apps.

https://ranchitup.podbean.com/

Rural America is center-stage on this outfit.

AND how is that? Because of Tigger & BEC... Live This Western Lifestyle.

Tigger & BEC represent the Working Ranch world by providing the cowboys, cowgirls, beef cattle producers & successful farmers the knowledge and education needed to bring high-quality beef & meat to your table for dinner.

Learn more about Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner aka BEC here: TiggerandBEC.com

https://tiggerandbec.com/