WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcing major investments in local and regional meat and poultry processing around the country.
“For decades, consolidation in meat processing has put the squeeze on farmers, ranchers, and consumers while corporate monopolies rake in record profits. Today’s announcement is another step toward putting control and profitability back in the hands of farmers, ranchers, and our communities,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “More competition across the ag economy is a good thing and it’s great to see Secretary Vilsack and the administration making diversified, local and regional food systems a priority.”
NFU has advocated for fairer, more competitive markets for farmers and ranchers, and more access to local and regional processing has been a key piece in the Fairness for Farmers campaign that was launched in 2021.