Merrill, WI -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today expressed concern that
the trend toward agribusiness mega-mergers is harming the ability of
Wisconsin’s family farmers to compete in the agriculture industry.
Feingold voiced support for legislative measures to prevent giant
agribusinesses from cornering an even bigger share of the market, and to
give Wisconsin’s family farmers a fair shot at competing in the
marketplace.
"Up against the big agribusinesses, small producers have little chance
of negotiating a good 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 is working with colleagues in the Senate to draft legislation
that takes an aggressive approach to the problem of a handful of
agribusinesses controlling a lion’s share of the market -- a trend that
has been dubbed "market concentration." This bill would order a one-year
moratorium on agricultural mergers, gives the USDA veto power over certain
mergers or acquisitions, and expands the USDA’s authority to prosecute
unfair, discriminatory, or deceptive practices by agricultural processors,
dealers or co-ops. The bill would also require the Secretary of
Agriculture to examine the likely effect of proposed agribusiness mergers
on family farms and rural communities.
"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 19th Listening Session of 2000, and
523rd since he was first elected in 1992, was held at the
Lincoln County Courthouse, beginning at 10 a.m. Feingold’s 20th
session of the year and 524th since he was first elected took
place at the Polar Town Hall beginning at 12:45
p.m.
