Senators Take Another Swing at Big Meat

A bipartisan group of senators reintroduced the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025 to crack down on anticompetitive practices in the meat industry. 

ICYMI: Only four companies control 85% of the beef-packing industry and 67% of pork. Despite consolidation bringing efficiencies to the industry, farming and ranching advocates have long criticized companies for driving out competition. 

Having fewer buyers has challenged livestock producers when it comes to receiving a fair price for their animals. And they’ve often felt the cards are stacked against them. 

Raising the steaks: Senators say the bill would help level the playing field. The act would create and empower a team of investigators at the USDA, allowing the agency to better enforce antitrust laws within the meat and poultry industry. The team would also coordinate with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

Senators introduced a similar bill in 2021 and 2023, which never saw a full vote in the Senate. 

Not only does the act aim to help bring better profits to livestock producers, but senators say it could also bring down consumer prices. 

The catch: Not everyone is convinced the bill will bring results. The Meat Institute said the act is not necessary. Instead, rolling back “burdensome and costly regulations” from the Biden administration would help reduce meat prices. 

Soundbite: “Because of the laws of supply and demand, beef producers continue to earn sustained high and even record high prices for their cattle.” — Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute