Administration Issues Executive Order To Address Competition In Ag Community

On Friday, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order, which he said will promote competition in the United States. How might that order benefit the Ag sector?

“The Executive Order essentially directs the Department of Agriculture to take some steps, which we are prepared to take.  One of which is to strengthen our Packers and Stockyards Act, so that we are able to identify when there are unfair practices or discriminatory practices or circumstances and situations where farmers and producers are not getting a fair shake from the market.”

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said in addition, USDA will consider new rules to determine when meat can bare the “Product of USA” label.

“To make sure that there is an understanding and to make sure that we’re not misleading consumers, we’re going to take a comprehensive review of how that label is currently being used and try to figure out ways in which we can provide consumers greater confidence in knowing precisely what that label means when it’s voluntarily attached to a product when have inspection responsibilities for.”

Vilsack noted the USDA will also develop a plan to increase market access and fair returns for farmers.

Other issues address in the Executive Order include Internet Service, Transportation, and Health Care. Click Here for details from the White House.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com