Hagstrom, J. (2023, November 9). USDA issues new rules on red meat purchases, poultry contracts and seed sales. DTN Progressive Farmer. https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/blogs/ag-policy-blog/blog-post/2023/11/09/usda-issues-new-rules-red-meat-seed

 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a series of new regulations after President Biden’s executive order concerning competition. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that all red meat purchased by the USDA must be “born, raised and slaughtered” in the US. He hopes that this domestic requirement will support US producers. Furthermore, a new rule requires transparency in poultry contracting. It requires outlines for earnings disclosures, minimum flock placements, and other important information for growers. Seed companies will also be required to provide variety transparency to farmers during sale. Additionally, the USDA has created a new position, Chief Competition Officer, to address competition challenges in the agricultural sector. 

This article gives me mixed feelings. I do like the idea of USDA purchases to be domestic meat only as it will help local companies. However, I am afraid of the economic implications of this action. Will certain US companies gain a monopoly on meat production? How will this affect price and competition? Furthermore, I do like the idea of increased transparency for meat producers. I think that by doing so, these companies will create more eco-friendly and healthier products as the public’s eye will be more closely looking at them. This will result in less pollution as companies make shifts towards more renewable ways to produce meat.