Senator Charles Grassley has asked the Justice Department to investigate the purchase of Cargill’s pork division by JBS USA Pork.
The Iowa Republican questions whether the $1.45 billion deal will restrict competition and leave consumers paying more for pork.
“I urge the antitrust division to thoroughly examine this proposed acquisition to preserve a competitive market in the pork industry,” Grassley wrote to Assistant Attorney General William Baer in a letter dated Monday.
Grassley said he wants to make sure the sale does not “facilitate … anti-competitive and predatory business practices in the industry.” The purchase will consolidate 71 percent of the nation’s pork processing capacity among four companies, he added.
Full content: Pork Network
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