The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Justice have partnered to launch an online tool for farmers and ranchers to report anticompetitive practices.
Agricultural workers can use the online tool to anonymously report unfair practices in livestock and poultry sectors, according to a recent news release,
"This new online tool will help USDA and the Justice Department address anticompetitive actions and create livestock and poultry markets that are fairer to our nation’s producers," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. "I encourage producers who are aware of potential violations of competition laws to submit information to the portal so we can take appropriate action to create more competitive markets in the agricultural sector."
The online tool is designed to create fairer, more competitive markets that allow food to be affordable for everyone.
Complaints can be filed anonymously at farmerfairness.gov and will be reviewed by staff from USDA Packers and Stockyards Division and the Department of Justice. Complaints will then be escalated for further investigation by appropriate authorities if necessary.
"When we talk about protecting competition in the agricultural sector, we are talking about whether a farmer or a rancher will be paid a fair and competitive price for their goods and labor," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the release. "When we talk about protecting consumers in this context, we are talking about whether food will be affordable for everyone in America."
