Trump moves to let farmers process own meat, target ‘nasty monopoly’

**Trump Moves to Help Farmers Process Their Own Meat and Challenge Big Meatpackers**

President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration plans to pursue changes that would allow farmers and ranchers to slaughter and process their own meat, describing the move as an effort to challenge what he called a “nasty monopoly” in the U.S. meat-processing industry. Trump announced the plan on Truth Social, saying legal documents would be prepared to give farmers and ranchers greater authority to process their own food and that the process should move quickly.

The announcement comes as the administration faces pressure over high beef prices and growing concerns among ranchers about the structure of the meat-processing industry. The White House recently announced plans to increase beef imports over the next three months in an effort to bring down consumer prices ahead of the midterm elections. That decision has drawn criticism from some domestic cattle producers who argue that increasing imports could hurt American ranchers. Trump has indicated that his administration intends to address those concerns by giving smaller producers more opportunities to compete.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the administration would begin making several major announcements, including efforts to expand truth-in-labeling requirements, provide additional support to small meat processors and address consolidation within the industry. The administration has already allocated about $60 million toward smaller meat processors and launched an investigation into allegations involving potentially anti-competitive practices by the country’s largest meatpacking companies.

The meat-processing industry is dominated by four major companies: Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS USA and National Beef Packing Co. Together, they control roughly 85% of U.S. meat processing, according to the information cited in the report. Critics of the industry argue that such concentration gives large processors substantial influence over cattle prices, meat supplies and the relationship between ranchers and consumers. Trump’s proposal was also discussed during an interview with conservative commentator Glenn Beck, who owns a ranch and raised concerns about slaughter and processing regulations.

Beck argued that large meatpackers and existing regulations were creating serious difficulties for ranchers. Trump responded that the discussion gave him an idea for addressing the problem. The administration’s proposed changes could give smaller farms and ranches greater flexibility to process and potentially sell their own products locally. Supporters argue that reducing regulatory barriers could help independent producers compete with large processors and provide consumers with more options for purchasing locally produced meat.

However, changing meat-processing rules could raise food-safety concerns. Federal meat inspection requirements are designed to ensure that meat entering commercial markets meets safety standards, and agricultural organizations have previously opposed efforts to significantly reduce those requirements. One proposal that has attracted bipartisan support is the PRIME Act, which would allow certain small farms and local slaughterhouses to sell meat directly to consumers without the same federal inspection requirements applied to larger commercial processors.

The legislation has been supported by lawmakers including Representatives Thomas Massie and Chellie Pingree and Senators Rand Paul and Angus King. Despite bipartisan backing, the bill has struggled to gain sufficient momentum because of concerns from agricultural groups about potential food-safety risks. Massie responded to Trump’s announcement by saying the idea should become law rather than relying solely on executive action. He urged lawmakers to pass the PRIME Act, arguing that it could help consumers obtain more affordable American beef while giving farmers greater economic opportunities.

Trump’s proposal also comes as the U.S. cattle industry faces a significant supply shortage. Cattle supplies have fallen to levels described as among the lowest in decades, while the cost of raising cattle has increased. At the same time, retail beef prices have risen, putting pressure on consumers and creating political concerns over food affordability. The administration has therefore been attempting to address both sides of the problem by increasing beef imports while exploring policies intended to strengthen domestic producers.

Trump has also said that the Justice Department is examining whether major meatpacking companies engaged in practices that illegally increased consumer beef prices. The combination of the investigation, support for smaller processors and proposed changes to processing rules signals a broader effort by the administration to challenge consolidation in the meat industry. If implemented, the changes could significantly alter how some farmers and ranchers bring meat to consumers. Supporters say greater processing freedom could reduce dependence on major meatpackers, while critics are likely to focus on food-safety oversight and enforcement.

For now, the administration has not provided detailed information about the legal mechanism it intends to use or the specific regulations that could be changed. The proposal nevertheless represents one of the most significant recent attempts to address the power of large meat processors and give smaller American producers a greater role in the food supply chain.