Competition in the ag industry and antitrust laws as they apply to agriculture will be under the microscope in 2010. The Department of Justice and USDA will hold a series of public workshops to explore ag competition issues, starting in Ankeny, Iowa on March 12th. One of those who will be watching closely is Nebraska state senator Cap Dierks. Dierks, a veterinarian by trade and a director of OCM—the Organization for Competitive Markets—has long fought for stronger enforcement of antitrust laws as they apply to meat packers. In a recent conversation with Brownfield, Dierks said it’s imperative that packer control of the cattle business be regulated.
AUDIO: Rural Issues for 1-13-10 (3 min MP3)
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