Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are urging the relevant House and Senate committees to oppose policy riders and to resist lobbying pressure in the FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that might restrain the USDA from protecting suppliers.
The Senators point to the 85 percent control of the domestic beef packing segment by four companies and the domination of hog packing with four companies controlling approximately 75 percent of capacity. The top four broiler integrators represent 55 percent of production but contracts and the unique relationship between the parties mitigates against exploitation.