Cazenovia, 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." Feingold seeks to crack down on
anti-competitive practices, and require USDA to assess the impact of
proposed mergers on family farms and rural communities before those
mergers can be approved. He also seeks to require a General Accounting
Office study on concentration in milk production, including farm-to-retail
price spreads, the potential benefit of breaking up "mega-firms," the
competition-limiting effects of biotech patents and multinational mergers,
and market power as it relates to marketing agreements, forward
contracting, and formula contracts.
"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 25th Listening Session of 2000, and
529th since he was first elected in 1992, was held at the
Cazenovia American Legion Hall, beginning at 9:45 a.m. Feingold’s
26th session of the year and 530th since he was
first elected took place at the Hillsboro City Hall beginning at noon.
Feingold’s 27th session of the year and 531st since
he was first elected took place at Seneca High School beginning at 3:30
p.m.
