Big poultry processor to pay $ 75 million to resolve antitrust lawsuit
Three months after a plea agreement with the government that included a $ 110.5 million fine, Pilgrim’s Pride, the second-largest U.S. poultry processor, said on Monday it would pay $ 75 million to settle a class-action lawsuit by its customers.
Farm labor reform is critical, say Land O’Lakes, AFBF leaders
U.S. farmers and ranchers face a labor shortage because “no one in America wants to do this kind of work anymore,” said the president of the largest U.S. farm group on Monday in calling for year-round agricultural guestworkers.
U.S. ends organic recognition agreement with India
Organic producers in India have six months to gain certification with a USDA-accredited certifying agent, said the USDA on Monday in announcing the termination of an organic recognition agreement dating from 2006.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Ag giants suspend campaign contributions: Smithfield Foods and Archer Daniels Midland are among U.S. companies that suspended federal campaign contributions until more is known about the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. (Reuters)
Gorillas in zoo have coronavirus: Three of the eight gorillas at San Diego Zoo Safari Park are infected with the coronavirus, the first known cases among gorillas in the United States. (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)
Plant protein and price elasticities: An economist’s model says the share of consumers who would choose plant-based patties over other meat and non-meat options could grow if the patty prices were the same. (Jayson Lusk)
Klobuchar to write on monopolies: Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, will write a book with recommendations on how to better control corporate consolidation through antitrust laws. (New York Times)
Quash ethanol waivers, asks industry: On his first day in office, President Biden could reduce air pollution by rejecting the 66 pending requests from oil refiners for an exemption from the Renewable Fuel Standard, said the Renewable Fuels Association. (RFA)