Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 5/24/10

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, speaking Friday at an agricultural workshop in Alabama, told poultry producers and the politicians who represent them that the Obama administration aims to protect competition, according to a report by the Huntsville Times.

"As we work to … understand why a growing number of American producers and farmers find it increasingly difficult to survive by doing what they've done for decades … I want to assure each of you that the Obama administration is committed to protecting competition vigorously," Holder was quoted as saying.

Holder and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack participated Friday in the second of five workshops USDA and the Department of Justice have planned nationwide this year to address competition issues affecting agricultural industries. The talk took place at Alabama A&M University.

Vilsack reportedly discussed with poultry growers concerns about their relationships with the companies for which they grow chickens, including low compensation and those companies' demands to make expensive equipment upgrades.

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