Meat Institute Opposes Government Intervention in Meat Markets

The North American Meat Institute has voiced its opposition to recent action intended to make changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act. In a statement, the organization said, President Biden's executive order calling for the Department of Agriculture to change the Packers and Stockyards rules will have unintended consequences for consumers and producers.

Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said, “Government intervention in the market will increase the cost of food for consumers at a time when many are still suffering from the economic consequences of the pandemic.”

Potts said the proposed changes will “open the floodgates” for litigation and limit livestock producers’ ability to market their livestock as they choose.

On Friday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to increase competition in the U.S. economy, including in the beef sector. The executive order also asks USDA to review the Product of USA labeling requirements. Additionally, USDA announced a $500 million investment to increase processing capacity of meatpacking facilities across the nation.

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