Ag Competition Worshops in Iowa

Statement

Senator Chuck Grassley released the following statement after the U.S. Departments of Justice and Agriculture announced the dates for a series of public workshops to discuss competition issues affecting the agricultural sector and the appropriate role for antitrust enforcement. Iowa will host the first workshop on March 12, 2010 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

Grassley has long sought to ensure healthy competition in the agriculture industry for all market participants by taking legislative action and conducting aggressive oversight. The 2008 farm bill included a positive step toward competition, based on legislation sponsored by Grassley, but he has reiterated the need for additional action.

"The agriculture industry has consolidated to the point where family farmers, independent producers and other smaller market participants do not have equal access to fair and competitive markets. Increased concentration in agriculture will lead to fewer product choices and higher product prices for the American consumer.

"Iowa is one of the leading agricultural states with a large number of family farmers. This makes it a prime location to hear directly from farmers who are being impacted by possible anti-competitive behavior. The workshops should address the complexities of competition in agriculture markets, including monopsony and vertical integration. This will give farmers, consumers, and agribusinesses the opportunity to provide examples of potentially anticompetitive conduct and to discuss any concerns about the application of the antitrust laws to the agricultural sector."

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