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Hawley calls for FTC investigation into packer concentration

Two U.S. Senators, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, are calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate meat packing industry concentration and any anti-trust violations.

They say the concentration of meatpacking in the hands of only a few companies is hurting plant workers, with the spread of COVID-19, and farmers and ranchers who are taking the brunt of the financial pain.

Even before the pandemic, Hawley and Baldwin say the packer concentration was hurting farmers, ranchers and consumers.

In their letter, the senators say the FTC should ask probing questions about “major meatpacking firms’ conduct, pricing, and contracting, and how their commitments to overseas interests impact the U.S. market and national security.”