This bill creates the "Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters" within the Department of Agriculture to address violations in the meat and poultry industry. The Special Investigator will have the power to use subpoenas and work with other government agencies to prosecute violations, as well as maintain a staff of professionals, and bring civil or administrative actions. The bill aims to strengthen oversight and enforcement in the food and agricultural sector, addressing competition, trade practices, national security, and critical infrastructure security.
Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act
This bill establishes the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the Agricultural Marketing Service's Packers and Stockyards Division.
Specifically, the office must use all available tools (e.g., subpoenas) to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (P&S Act). Further, the bill grants the office the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized by that act.
Additionally, the office must
- serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector,
- consult with the Department of Homeland Security on national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector, and
- maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise.
As background, the purposes of the P&S Act are to assure fair competition and trade practices, safeguard farmers and ranchers, protect consumers, and protect livestock, meat, and poultry industry members from unfair, deceptive, unjustly discriminatory, and monopolistic practices. Those engaged in the business of marketing livestock, meat, and poultry in commerce are subject to the P&S Act.
