Wrightstown, WI -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today spoke against the
agribusiness mega-mergers that harm Wisconsin’s family farmers ability to
compete in the agriculture industry, and described legislation he supports
to prevent "market concentration," where giant agribusinesses push small
producers out of the market
"In concentrated markets, small farmers have little market leverage to
negotiate a fair price for their product, and often have to settle for
lower prices that eventually drive them out of business," Feingold said.
"At listening sessions like these, I hear again and again about this
problem from the men and women who actually produce the grain and
livestock. And sometimes I hear these stories from proud farmers who
wonder if that loss of market power will mean that theirs is the last
generation in their family to be able to farm."
Feingold announced his strong support for a bill that strengthens and
expands agricultural anti-trust laws, and enhances competition in rural
America to ensure that farmers get a fair price for their products. The
Farmers and Ranchers Fair Competition Act was introduced today by Senators
Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Feingold is an original
cosponsor of the bill.
"We must ask the question: Why are farmers and ranchers receiving a
smaller and smaller share of the retail dollar?" Feingold said. "It’s time
to take a hard look at how market concentration is changing the
agriculture industry, and for the sake of Wisconsin’s family farmers, we
don’t have a moment to lose," Feingold said.
Feingold's 34th Listening Session of 2000, and
538th since he was first elected in 1992, was held at the
Wrightstown Fire Station, beginning at 4 p.m.
