The United States Department of Agriculture has published its final rule designating criteria for determining whether an undue or unreasonable advantage has been given under the Packers and Stockyards Act, as required by the 2008 Farm Bill. The rule requires the Secretary to consider whether the preference or advantage in question cannot be justified on the basis of a cost savings related to dealing with other producers, justified on the basis of meeting a competitor’s prices, justified on the basis of meeting other terms offered by a competitor, or justified as a reasonable business decision. The rule is effective January 11, 2021.
USDA Publishes Final Packers and Stockyards Act Rule
JBS Settles Price Fixing Suit
Plaintiffs are seeking approval of a preliminary settlement with JBS over claims the company conspired with other producers to fix prices of pig products.
Pork Producer Reaches Settlement in Antitrust Class Action
JBS has informed a federal court in Minnesota that it has reached a settlement with a class of purchasers accusing the company of conspiring with others to raise the price of pork by reducing supply.
Pilgrim’s Pride Announces Settlement in Price Fixing Probe
Chicken company Pilgrim’s Pride has announced that it has reached a settlement with the Department of Justice in the department’s investigation into price fixing in the chicken industry. The company will pay over $110 million.
More Poultry Executives Indicted for Price Fixing
Six more executives in the poultry industry have been indicted with price-fixing in the chicken industry.
Cattle Antitrust Litigation Dismissed
A federal judge in Minnesota has granted defendants’ motion to dismiss in a consolidation of several class actions alleging the nation’s largest meat packers conspired to fix the price of cattle.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Chicken Executives for Price Fixing
The Department of Justice has announced that a federal grand jury in Colorado has returned an indictment against four executives of major chicken producers for conspiring to fix prices.
Washington State Sues Over Tuna Price Fixing Scheme
Washington state has filed suit against Starkist, parent company Dongwon Industries, and the CEO of Bumble Bee Foods, alleging that the defendants conspired to artificially increase the price of tuna.
Supermarket Chain and Milk Producers Cooperative File Antitrust Challenge Against Dairy Merger
Food Lion, a supermarket chain, and the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association have filed suit against the Dairy Farmers of America, alleging that the proposed merger between the corporation and Dean Foods Company violates federal antitrust law and are seeking injunctive relief.
Turkey Companies Accused of Conspiracy and Price Hiking
A New York Deli has filed suit against top turkey producers, including Perdue, Tyson, Butterball, and Hormel, alleging that the companies conspired to illegally trade price data and raise the price of their products.