USCA Commends Senators on Reintroducing Special Investigator Bill

Legislation Would Create an Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within
USDA
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and
Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), along with five other cosponsors have reintroduced the Meat and
Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025. The bill was introduced in 2022 and 2023, moving out
of committee in 2022 and voted on the Senate floor.
The legislation would create the “Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters”
within the Packers & Stockyards Division at USDA and addresses anticompetitive markets and
vertical consolidation in the meatpacking industry. The Office of the Special Investigator would
hold legal powers to address violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act taken by large
meatpackers. The office would also serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice, the Federal
Trade Commission, and the Department of Homeland Security.
“Producers have gone too long without fair options when it comes to processors and
meatpackers. The industry is much more consolidated than is equitable, with the four largest beef
packers controlling 85 percent of the space. USCA is grateful to Senators Wyden, Grassley,
Rounds, Hyde-Smith, and Hoeven and their counterparts for championing this bipartisan bill that
is vital to the longevity of small, independent processors,” U.S. Cattlemen’s Association
President Justin Tupper said.
The House released their version of the bill, introduced by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), on
March 20.

-United States Cattlemen’s Association