WASHINGTON — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) partnered with bipartisan attorneys general to develop a framework that addresses the issue of anticompetitive agricultural markets.
Consulting with attorneys general across 31 states and the District of Columbia, the USDA plans to address anticompetitive practices that lead to limited choices for consumers and increased prices across the supply chain.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to addressing corporate consolidation and its negative effects on the US economy, such as unfair competition and increased prices,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “By placing necessary resources where they are needed most and helping states identify and address anticompetitive and anti-consumer behavior, in partnership with federal authorities, through these cooperative agreements we can ensure a more robust and competitive agricultural sector. I’m pleased to see that a bipartisan group of states have committed to joining USDA in better protecting the fair and competitive markets that are a critical cornerstone of the American economy.”
The Agricultural Competition Partnership will allow state attorneys general to better conduct on-the-ground assessments of competition. The initiative focuses on current anticompetitive structures, absence of choices for consumers and producers, and conflicts of interest across food and agriculture supply chains.
USDA announced a $15 million investment for partnerships benefiting competition in the agricultural sector. The majority of the funding will go to the Center for State Enforcement of Antitrust and Consumer Protection Laws, which is a nonpartisan organization that provides support to the states.
The State Center is establishing an oversight committee to assist with USDA and the attorneys general’s partnership in identifying transparency standards. In addition, a project selection advisory committee will review project proposals and provide recommendations for approvals.
All states are eligible to participate with USDA in this venture at any time and may depart at any time. Current participants can be found on USDA’s Fair and Competitive Markets webpage.