Summary
The Interim Competition and Fair Practices in Meat Merchandising report identifies potential problematic fees and unjust or anticompetitive pricing strategies present in the beef market as a case study. The report is interim because industry cooperation was only partial. USDA is also continuing an investigative study, including enforcing subpoenas where necessary.
Additionally, in the upcoming months, USDA will issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) seeking public input around how best to address practices used in meat merchandising that may violate the Packers and Stockyards Act.
Contact
S. Brett Offutt, Chief Legal Officer/Policy Advisor, Packers and Stockyards Division, USDA AMS Fair Trade Practices Program, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; Phone: (202) 690-4355; or email: s.brett.offutt@usda.gov.
Supporting Documents