Concentration, Integration and Mergers Compromising Basic Free Enterprise
Contact: Washington NFU Office, Clarence White, 202-314-3191, [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 28, 2000)-National Farmers Union (NFU) President Leland Swenson today requested that Congress act immediately to restore competition in agriculture. He did so before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Business Rights, and Competition in testimony on the current state of agricultural industry concentration, antitrust activity and enforcement, and its implications.
"Besides price, competition in the agriculture industry is the issue of greatest concern to family farmers and ranchers," said Swenson. "We need stronger enforcement and greater authority for those charged with fighting antitrust violations."
Farmers Union called on Congress to enact legislation to improve market competition and promoted higher levels of enforcement and greater authority for the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to fight anti-competitive behavior. The family farmer and rancher organization also called on Congress to increase antitrust oversight of the retail sector where a few large chains not only exert the market power to independently set food prices, but are also exerting market pressure that affects the price that producers receive.
"Competition in the agriculture sector is rapidly diminishing," added Swenson. "Congress and the administration must act quickly before it is too late."
Swenson called on the subcommittee to take immediate action on antitrust legislation introduced by Sens. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, last spring.:
