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LMA calls for DOJ investigation of packers

The Livestock Marketing Association wants the Department of Justice to be involved in the investigation of the price divergence between boxed beef and live beef prices. Chelsea Good, LMA’s vice president of government affairs, tells Brownfield they’re pleased Ag Secretary Perdue has extended  oversight of the issue.

“Certainly, we need to know if there are any illegal activities, violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act and anti-trust laws. And if there is NOT, I think that that’s also valuable information, that as an industry, we need to take in and figure out how do we address these issues going forward.”

She says less than year after USDA launched its investigation following the Kansas beef plant fire, the COVID19 pandemic has made things even worse. Good says they’re also very concerned about packers continued ability to operate amid the pandemic.