Source:  LIsa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/28/10

USDA and the Department of Justice plan a joint poultry workshop to explore the issues of consolidation and contracting in the poultry industry, the agencies said in a news release.

Planned for May 21 at Alabama A&M University in Normal, Ala., it is the second joint public workshop the agencies have on the calendar for 2010. The first was held in March in Ankeny, Iowa, and focused on "Issues of Concern to Farmers."

The workshops are designed to address questions related to competition and regulation in the fast-moving ag industry. They are open to the public and free of charge, in order to promote dialogue among the interested parties and educate attendees on appropriate legal and economic analysis.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Antitrust Division Christine Varney are expected to participate in the workshop in Alabama.

Two more workshops — one on the dairy industry and one on beef, hog and other animal sectors — are planned for June and August, respectively.

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