By Michael Mroziak
Senator Chuck Schumer visited a Niagara Falls meat shop Monday morning, where he purchased some of their products. But first, he came to talk about the rising costs of meats such as those sold there.
He said only a handful of companies — Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef — dominate the meat production market, calling the food system rigged in favor of corporate monopolies.
“There's a huge monopoly in the meat and pork industries that raises prices, hurts consumers, and there's no competition,” said Schumer, standing outside Niagara Sausage Company on Lockport Road. “Four companies control 85% of the beef market. Four companies control 67% of the pork market. Four companies control 60% of the chicken market."
The Democrat and longtime U.S. Senator from New York announced proposed legislation titled the "Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act." It calls on the Federal Trade Commission to look into current business practices, force the nation’s largest meatpackers to commit to only one line of business, provide technical and financial assistance to assistance to small businesses and farming cooperatives to create more local supply chains, and rein in foreign-owned conglomerates competing in the U.S. market.
“This legislation that the senator is proposing is going to address a major issue that's facing everyday families here in Niagara Falls, and that is the high cost of groceries” said Niagara Falls city administrator Anthony Restaino. “By creating more competition, this is going to result in groceries becoming more affordable, and will also benefit our local farm community here in Niagara County.”
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