By Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller
“I fully support President Trump’s call for a federal investigation into the long-suspected unethical practices of the four major meatpacking companies operating in the United States. I have long advocated for this as well and have previously publicly requested that President Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice conduct a criminal investigation into price fixing by the nation’s largest meat packers. Two of these companies are not even American-owned; they are based in Brazil, and they are making billions while our ranchers and consumers are getting the short end of the stick.
“Enough is enough. We must determine whether American ranchers and consumers are being squeezed while these massive corporations profit through price manipulation and collusion. I applaud the President’s bold leadership and urge the Department of Justice to expedite this investigation. If it is found that these companies are exploiting our ranchers and consumers, as well as undermining our food security, they must be held accountable.”
By Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening
The following statement may be attributed to Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening following President Trump’s announcement that he has asked the Department of Justice to investigate meat packing companies: “Texas Farm Bureau appreciates President Trump bringing attention to this important issue. Consolidation in the beef industry is a serious concern for Texas beef producers.
“Texas Farm Bureau supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Justice aggressively enforcing antitrust laws and opposing further packer concentration.
“Beef producers, like all commodity producers, have no control over the price that consumers pay when their product reaches the retail level.
“Producers are price-takers, not price-makers. They cannot pass on higher production costs to the consumer like most other businesses.
“Beef producers took a substantial hit on the price of their commodity in recent weeks, but the price consumers paid for beef did not decrease at the supermarket.
“Texas beef producers are not to blame for higher beef prices at the retail level. There are many influences on today’s consumer beef prices, one of which is supply and demand.”