Pork industry faces criticism
US - Smithfield, the world's largest pork producer and packer, announced last month it plans to buy Kansas City-based Premium Standard Farms, the second largest pork producer and sixth largest packer in the United States, for $810 million.
11 October 2006
2 minute read
That announcement set off a storm of protest from critics concerned about competition in the pork industry.
In a letter to the Justice Department, U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said the merger could hurt independent farmers. "I have strong reservations about this proposal and the continued trend in concentration in the pork industry," he wrote.
Others agree the deal would make it harder for small livestock producers.
Source: PJStar
