A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act, aiming to strengthen oversight of the meat and poultry industry. The bill would establish a dedicated office at the USDA to investigate anticompetitive practices among major meatpacking companies.
The new office would work with the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to enforce existing antitrust laws. Its authority would be limited to entities covered under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921.
This effort follows the dismantling of the USDA’s former enforcement agency, GIPSA, during the Trump administration, which had focused on regulating unfair practices in the meat industry.
Supporters say the bill is needed to level the playing field for small ranchers and address rising grocery prices. Critics argue that high beef prices are driven by limited cattle supply and broader market challenges—not corporate misconduct.
The proposal mirrors a 2021 bill introduced after pandemic-related disruptions exposed weaknesses in the livestock market. It has support from senators across both parties and is backed by the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and the National Farmers Union, who say stronger enforcement will help protect independent producers and ensure fair competition.
