SDFU expresses concerns over recent JBS Acquisition: Rapid Concentration in Agriculture Hurting Family Farmers and Ranchers

November 10, 2015 – By #South Dakota Farmer Union

South Dakota Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke expressed concern over the rapid consolidation in agriculture after the Department of Justice approved the purchase of Cargill Inc.’s pork unit by the Brazilian pork packer JBS.

 “Growing concentration in agriculture is cause for concern,” said Sombke, a fourth generation Conde farmer. “Department of Justice has shown that it is not willing to stand in the way. With each acquisition, the voice of the family farmer becomes more diluted leaving family farmers and ranchers at a significant disadvantage.”

 National Farmers Union President, Roger Johnson also weighed in on the recent acquisition. “It’s time for the Department of Justice to wake up and realize that simply rubber stamping every merger and acquisition request that comes before it is directly undermining our nation’s already vulnerable family farmers and small producers,” said Johnson. 

 Johnson is especially troubled by the fact that the Department of Justice has  not asked for a single restriction on this deal.  “While they have argued that family farmers are free to comment if they have any concerns, the unfortunate fact is that most producers are afraid to speak out, fearing retribution by the handful of meatpackers who run the show,” Johnson said.

 After the deal is complete, more than  70 percent of pork processing ability within the United States will be controlled by just four companies.

 With this acquisition, JBS becomes the second-largest pork packer in the nation, second only to Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods.

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Last Modified: 11/10/2015 8:55:02 am MST