The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has taken a meaningful step forward today by establishing a pioneering partnership with bipartisan attorneys general in 31 states and the District of Columbia. This groundbreaking collaboration fosters competition and safeguarding consumers within the food and agricultural markets, encompassing grocery, meat and poultry processing, and various other sectors.
A well-defined framework, devised in close consultation with the state attorneys general, will be the cornerstone of this new alliance. Its primary objective is to empower these legal representatives in their efforts to combat anticompetitive market structures in agriculture and associated industries. These structures have been causing price hikes and restricting options for consumers and producers.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack officially unveiled this momentous partnership during the White House Competition Council meeting, commemorating the second anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is steadfast in its commitment to address the adverse impacts of corporate consolidation on the U.S. economy, such as unfair competition and price escalation,” asserted Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. He further emphasized, “By strategically allocating resources to areas of utmost need and aiding states in identifying and resolving anticompetitive and anti-consumer practices, in tandem with federal authorities, these cooperative agreements will pave the way for a more robust and competitive agricultural sector. It is gratifying to witness a bipartisan coalition of states pledging their dedication to partnering with USDA in safeguarding fair and competitive markets, a vital cornerstone of the American economy.”
This landmark initiative builds upon the comprehensive “whole of government” approach outlined in President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. Taking inspiration from this approach, the USDA issued a challenge to state attorneys general, inviting them to collaborate on competition in food and agriculture. The impetus for this challenge was provided by more than a dozen state attorneys general who wrote to Secretary Vilsack, seeking additional support to address issues related to agricultural competition.
This historic partnership signifies a bold stride towards fostering a level playing field within the food and agricultural sectors and fortifying the foundation of a competitive and thriving American economy.
Source: USDA
