Attorneys general from a number of ranching states have sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr requesting the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an antitrust investigation of the beef processing industry to determine if the companies have entered into agreements that deprive consumers and cattle ranchers of a competitive market.
According to the attorneys general, since the four largest beef processors control 80% percent of U.S. beef processing, the meat packers regularly have large profit margins, while the cattle ranchers often struggle to survive, and consumers don’t have the opportunity to reap the benefits of a competitive market. The attorneys general are asking for an investigation to identify and quickly rectify any fraudulent business practices that may exist within the meat packing industry.
