The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division has announced a significant expansion of its efforts to address agricultural issues, with plans to increase staffing dedicated to civil and criminal enforcement in the sector. Michael Kades, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ Antitrust Division, made this announcement on Friday at R-CALF USA’s 2024 Annual National Convention in Deadwood, South Dakota.

The DOJ intends to expand hiring of lawyers for its Chicago office, who will primarily focus on antitrust, competition, and fairness issues within agricultural supply chains. This new team, the first of its kind in the Midwest, will be tasked with enforcing laws related to agriculture.

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew expressed strong support for the DOJ’s initiative. “We appreciate that the DOJ is intensifying efforts to address anticompetitive practices in the agricultural sector. The increased focus on antitrust enforcement is a vital step toward ensuring fair competition and protecting family farmers and ranchers. NFU’s Farmers for Fairness campaign plays a crucial role in highlighting these concerns, and it’s encouraging to see such significant progress. Ensuring a competitive marketplace is essential for the success and sustainability of America’s family farmers.”