By Ryan Hanrahan
Reuters’ Jody Godoy and David Shepardson reported that “the U.S. Department of Justice and six states settled their antitrust lawsuit against data company Agri Stats on Thursday in a move DOJ officials said would lower meat prices for consumers. The Trump administration is looking to make consumer foods more affordable as Americans grapple with the rising cost of living, including surging gas prices.”
“The DOJ in September 2023 alleged Indiana-based Agri Stats’ weekly reports on meat pricing and sales enabled anti-competitive practices in the chicken, pork, and turkey industries. The case was scheduled to go to trial this month,” Godoy and Shepardson reported. “Thursday’s settlement limits what data Agri Stats can collect, and requires it to offer its data not only to meat processors, but also to meat buyers like grocery stores and restaurants.”
“‘This Department of Justice is laser-focused on making everyday life affordable for all Americans,’ Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said,” according to Godoy and Shepardson’s reporting. “The Agri Stats settlement included California, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.” The settlement agreement must still be approved by the judge overseeing the case.
“Agri Stats President Eric Scholer said in a statement that the company was pleased to resolve the matter. He said its reports have helped chicken producers expand production and reduce costs,” Godoy and Shepardson reported. “‘It has not been easy for a small company to litigate against a massive government agency with unlimited resources, and we could not have achieved this outcome had our customers not stood behind us,’ he said.”
Source : illinois.edu