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Grassley welcomes federal scrutiny of meat processing industry

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s encouraged by steps taken by the Trump administration to investigate competition in the meat processing industry.

The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield getting to the bottom of potential antitrust violations by the big four meatpackers will take time.

“But I can say over my years in the Senate it’s been a hard time for me to get the Department of Justice involved in ag issues, so I’m very thankful they are moving ahead with what they are doing now. Because it’s kind of unusual.”

Earlier this week, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department is reviewing more than three million documents and interviewing industry participants.

Grassley says antitrust laws should be enforced regardless of industry.

“Agriculture competition as much as it is in any other segment of the economy.”

He says legislation like the Meat and Poultry Special Investigators Act aims to increase livestock market transparency and competition.