(NAFB) – USDA and the Department of Justice held the first-ever joint public workshop on competition and regulatory issues in the agriculture industry. Led by Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Eric Holder, this workshop held last Friday featured panel discussions on a variety of topics important to America’s farmers and ranchers, including competitive dynamics in the seed industry, trends in contracting, transparency and buyer power, and concluded with public testimony.
Secretary Vilsack called the issues – difficult and complex, which is why this workshop is so important and long overdue. Attorney General Holder said we are committed to enforcing the antitrust laws effectively to ensure fair and open competition that protects both consumers and farmers.
More workshops will be held over the next several months. The goals are to promote dialogue and foster learning, as well as to listen to and learn from people involved in agriculture.
