Minnesota has taken a significant step to boost competition and protect consumers in the livestock industry by joining the newly formed Agriculture Competition Partnership, initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Attorney General Keith Ellison announced the state's participation, emphasizing the detrimental effects of unfair market practices on farmers, ranchers, and consumers.
Ellison highlighted the consolidation and decreased competition in agriculture markets, which lead to artificially inflated prices, making it challenging for Minnesotans to afford their livelihoods. The partnership's aim is to address these issues head-on, offering support to local governments in their efforts to tackle anticompetitive market structures that limit choices for consumers and producers.
With this strategic partnership extending to 31 states and counting, it's proving to be a game-changer for grocery, meat, and poultry processing markets, among others. The collaboration with the Biden Administration has granted state attorneys general new resources to address competition issues in the food market effectively.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office is already taking action, investigating competition issues and filing a lawsuit against pesticide distributors Syngenta and Corteva for their exclusionary "loyalty programs. The office encourages Minnesotans to report similar behavior to ensure a fair and competitive marketplace.
As the second anniversary of President Joe Biden's executive order on promoting competition in the American economy is celebrated, this powerful partnership reaffirms its commitment to empower consumers, protect farmers, and create a level playing field in the agriculture industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-karen-massier
Categories: Minnesota, General, Livestock, Poultry