Author: OCM Staff

OCM Comments on New DOJ and FTC Vertical Merger Guidelines

OCM Staff

Today, the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) submitted public comments on the new U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines.  The 1984 Non-Horizontal Merger Guidelines, currently in place, should be rescinded, as the nearly 40-year-old merger review standards do not reflect today’s economic realities in which consolidation in agriculture has driven farmers off the land, reduced farm income, and eroded small towns and rural economies. OCM applauds the DOJ and FTC Read More …

Public Comments on the U.S. DOJ and the FTC Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines

OCM Staff

Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) submitted public comments on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines.  Download: OCM Public Comments on DOJ and FTC Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines OCM argues that 1984 Non-Horizontal Merger Guidelines, currently in place, should be rescinded, as the nearly 40-year-old merger review standards do not reflect today’s economic realities in which consolidation in agriculture has driven farmers off the land, reduced farm income, and eroded Read More …

Fueling Beef Monopoly Expansion, U.S. Lifts Two-Year Ban on Brazilian Beef Imports

OCM Staff

On Friday, February 21, the United States reopened its border to fresh beef from Brazil after a more than two-year ban, according to a letter sent by the Food Safety and Inspection Service to the Brazilian agriculture minister, as reported by Bloomberg News. Negotiations between President Trump and President Bolsonaro began one year ago, and the two plan to meet next month in Brazil. The move, which the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) warned against in April 2019, threatens Read More …

WNAX | OCM Calling For Revision Of DOJ And FTC Vertical Merger Guidelines

OCM Staff

The Organization for Competitive Markets has filed comments with the U.S. Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission on their Vertical Merger Guidelines. OCM Director of Policy and Research Ben Gotschall says those guidelines haven’t been revised since 1982 and have several shortcomings that need fixing. He says the current guidelines don’t give enough protection to consumers, or farmers and ranchers and need to be thrown out and replaced. Gotschall says there’s also a comment period going on now Read More …

Brian Ross Investigates | $100 Million Outrage; Corrupt Brothers Collect US Taxpayer Money

OCM Staff

This episode of Brian Ross Investigates looks at the case of two brothers linked to a huge corruption scandal in Brazil who have been buying up American meatpacking companies, which have now received more than $100 million in U.S. taxpayer money meant for American farmers and ranchers. Brian Ross joined the Law & Crime Network as chief investigative correspondent in 2018 after decades of award-winning work at ABC News and NBC News. His reports have exposed government and corporate Read More …

JBS faces heat over ‘cattle laundering’ in Amazon supply chain

OCM Staff

JBS has frequently been accused of links to deforestation. Now the meatpacker is facing growing pressure from Brazilian politicians and environmentalists to address the information gaps and transparency failings in its supply chain. Critics say these deficiencies mean JBS is unable to ensure it does not buy cattle from farms involved in illegal deforestation over a decade after promising to do so. Read more from The Guardian.

JBS buys U.S.-Based Empire Packing for $238M

OCM Staff

JBS USA is buying Empire Packing Co. LP, its case ready production facilities and Ledbetter branded retail products, for US$238 million. The acquisition includes operations of five production facilities located in Cincinnati, Denver, Mason, Ohio, Memphis, Tenn. and Olympia, Wash. Empire Packing provides its grocery clients with case ready meat solutions and custom food processing and packaging services, and Ledbetter Foods branded products sold at retail nationwide. JBS said the transaction is subject to regulatory review and government approvals. Read More …

Cooperative Consolidation: Why Dairy Farmers of America Should Not Be Allowed to Purchase Dean Foods

OCM Staff

By Bobbi Wilson, Wisconsin Farmers Union The looming threat of a milk monopoly is making headlines as the nation’s largest dairy cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, negotiates the purchase of Dean Foods following its bankruptcy announcement. If the deal is approved, DFA would achieve near total control over regional fluid milk markets in New England and the Midwest. The news comes on the heels of a Government Accountability Office report showing reduced farmer earnings and power imbalances result from Read More …