In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays features comments from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, White House advisor Peter Navarro, Shad Sullivan, ag journalist Jerry Hagstrom, and NCBA Colin Woodall regarding the ongoing Department of Justice investigation into the nation’s four largest meatpackers. While no fresh developments were announced during the briefing, officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and that more work still lies ahead.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche used the event to encourage industry insiders to come forward with information related to possible antitrust violations. Blanche said the Department of Justice is seeking information involving “price fixing, bid rigging, market allocation, or even procurement fraud” through its whistleblower rewards program. He noted that whistleblowers whose information leads to fines exceeding $1,000,000 could receive up to 30% of the penalty amount.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins focused much of her remarks on concentration within the meatpacking industry, specifically referencing Brazilian-owned companies including JBS USA and National Beef. Rollins stressed the importance of maintaining a strong domestic food supply and protecting rural America. Responding to a question from longtime ag journalist Jerry Hagstrom about whether the administration hopes to break up large meatpacking companies or demand the...
Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for relying on claims by United States President Donald Trump regarding the reported killing of senior Islamic ...