Commissioner Sid Miller Praises President Trump’s Pledge to Increase Competition in the Meat Processing Industry

AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today praised President Donald Trump’s call to strengthen America’s cattle industry by cutting federal red tape, expanding opportunities for independent beef processors, and giving ranchers more freedom to sell directly to consumers. Miller said the President’s proposal would inject badly needed competition into the beef market, strengthen American producers, and help put more of the consumer’s beef dollar back in the pockets of the men and women who raise the cattle.

The following statement may be attributed to Commissioner Miller:

“President Trump is absolutely right to take on the stranglehold the big meatpackers have on America’s cattle industry. Four companies – some of them foreign-owned – control roughly 85 percent of beef processing, and for too long our ranchers have suffered in a market that simply isn’t competitive. That ultimately leads to higher prices and a lack of selection in our markets.

Giving farmers and ranchers more freedom to process and market their own beef, cutting red tape, strengthening independent processors, and opening more avenues for direct sales are exactly the kinds of America First reforms we need. We can enhance food safety without protecting foreign-owned interests in our food supply

President Trump understands something Washington too often forgets: the people raising the cattle need to have a fair shot at making a living from them. I applaud the President for listening to America’s ranchers and taking action. Now let’s move fast, break up the bottlenecks, and put more power back in the hands of American producers and American families.”

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