Agricultural Supply Chain Squeeze Exposed in Washington D.C.

Agricultural Supply Chain Squeeze Exposed in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON – A high-stakes showdown is brewing in the nation’s capital as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its government watchdog announce their latest move in a series of high-profile workshops. The public will have a front-row seat as the USDA and Attorney General Eric Holder bring together industry insiders, academics, and government officials to dissect the issue of margins at various levels of the agricultural supply chain.

The workshop, scheduled for December 8, 2010, is the fifth in a series of five, and will be held at the USDA’s Jefferson Auditorium in Washington D.C. The event promises to shed light on the complex web of relationships between farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers in the multi-billion dollar industry.

The USDA and Attorney General Eric Holder have made it clear that they are not afraid to take on the powerful interests in the agricultural industry. “This is a critical moment for our nation’s agricultural industry,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “We must work together to ensure that competition is fair and that consumers have access to safe and affordable food.”

The workshop will feature a series of panels discussing topics such as supply chain dynamics, issues in food retailing, and margins in the beef, pork, poultry, and dairy industries. Each panel will feature producers and industry representatives, as well as academics with extensive research experience in the relevant field.

But the USDA and Attorney General Eric Holder are not just looking to educate the public – they are also on the hunt for evidence of wrongdoing. “We will be listening to the public’s concerns and gathering information that will help us to better understand the issues facing the agricultural industry,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

For those interested in attending the workshop, registration is free and open to the public. The general public and media can register at www.surveymonkey.com/s/marginsworkshop. Additional details on the schedule and panelists will be provided at a later date. For further information, including submitted public comments, transcripts, and videos for past workshops, please visit the Antitrust Division’s agriculture workshop website at www.justice.gov/atr/public/workshops/ag2010/index.htm or contact agriculturalworkshops@usdoj.gov.”