Trump vows legal order to break up ’nasty monopoly’ in food processing

President Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention to issue a legal order aimed at empowering farmers and ranchers to process their own food, in an attempt to dismantle what he termed a "nasty monopoly" among the nation's leading processors. While he did not specify a particular food or industry, he stated that he would swiftly prepare the necessary legal documents.

Earlier this week, Trump had discussed the issue on the Glenn Beck program, expressing his interest in exploring whether existing regulations governing beef processing were excessive. Beck, who is also a rancher, suggested to Trump that USDA regulations were preventing ranchers from processing their own animals and forcing them to rely on a highly centralized meat processing industry dominated by four major companies: Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and National Beef Packing Co.

These four entities currently hold approximately 85% of the U.S. meat processing market. The administration did not respond to inquiries regarding the specifics of the order, which follows earlier statements from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins about upcoming announcements on Monday, including expanded cross-state sales for ranchers, additional support for smaller meat processors, and the withdrawal of outdated guidance.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service currently inspects all meat processed in its facilities to ensure it adheres to federal standards. Federal law generally prohibits ranchers from selling meat from animals they have slaughtered and processed themselves, except in certain circumstances. Farm and ranch organizations have long advocated for greater flexibility, arguing that meat processing sector consolidation has made it difficult for small producers to remain competitive, as they must transport their animals to USDA-inspected facilities and face high transportation costs.

The Meat Institute, representing meatpacking firms, expressed concerns that allowing uninspected meat to reach consumers could compromise food safety and damage the country's reputation for producing the safest meat products globally. The administration of former President Joe Biden had previously sought to address meatpacking consolidation through rules promoting competition and fairer compensation for chicken farmers, a stance the Trump administration has indicated it intends to reverse.

Both administrations have also allocated funds to bolster smaller meat processors, aiming to provide ranchers with more options amid a 75-year low in meat supply, driven by rising cattle costs and higher prices. Additionally, the Trump administration recently announced that more ground beef could be imported into the United States without tariffs.

The Justice Department is also investigating whether meatpacking firms have illegally inflated consumer beef prices.