Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 5/8/19

The Center for American Progress on Tuesday floated a novel idea to counter the effects of a rapidly consolidating agriculture industry: Establish an independent task force at USDA charged with maintaining competitive markets and protecting farmers from the harms of consolidation. CAP also backed other proposalsincluding upping antitrust enforcement and restructuring farmer contracts with employers.

The group plans to sell the idea on Capitol Hill, and it could find a receptive audience among Democrats who are already pushing antitrust-related legislation, like a bill from Sen. Cory Bookerand Rep. Mark Pocan that would temporarily ban future ag mergers while Congress rewrites antitrust laws to strengthen enforcement against anti-competitive deals.

The proposed "Independent Farmer Protection Bureau" would be modeled after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and led by a Senate-confirmed appointee with a five-year term. The IFPB would have offices across the country that collect data and monitor markets. The agency would also set up a hotline for farmers to issue complaints about anti-competitive practices and would have the authority to enforce antitrust laws and oversee the input side of markets.