Grassley requests U.S. review hog producers' merger plan

In a letter Tuesday to the department's antitrust division, Grassley said the merger would hurt independent farmers by increasing Smithfield's control over hog production.

"Over the last several years Smithfield has made it perfectly clear that it intended to purchase its competitors to assert dominance in the pork industry," Grassley said. "This is alarming, and particularly alarming is just the attitude of the leadership of Smithfield of how they can run everyone out of business."

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., also has called on the department to review the deal.

To continue reading this article please click here

Source: Des Moines Register

Sign up for our
regular news updates

More of the latest Pig Industry News

•   OIE Monitors Global Pandemic H1N1 2009 Situation
•   CPC Urges Action on Canada-Columbia FTA
•   Guidance Document on Pig Protection Endorsed
•   NFUS Urges Participation in Carbon Footprint Study
•   Defra's New Guidelines to Reduce Salmonella in Feed
•   Study to Bring Benefits to Meat Sector
•   New Merck Company Begins Operations
•   Influenza A/H1N1 Outbreak in Swine Confirmed
•   Ensuring the Most Exposed Animals the Best Welfare
•   Pork with Anabolic Steroid Found in HCM City