S. 1312: Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025 aims to create a new office within the U.S. Department of Agriculture called the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters. This office will focus on ensuring fair competition and regulating trade practices in the meat and poultry sectors. Below are the key aspects of the bill:

Establishment of the Office

The bill establishes the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters. This office will be led by a Special Investigator, who will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and will be a senior career official within the Department.

Duties of the Special Investigator

The Special Investigator will be responsible for several important tasks, including:

• Investigating and prosecuting violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, specifically focusing on issues related to competition and trade practices involving packers and live poultry dealers.
• Serving as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, consulting on matters concerning competition and trade in the agricultural sector.
• Working with the Department of Homeland Security on issues related to national security and the security of food and agricultural infrastructure.
• Maintaining a team of legal and professional experts to support the office's initiatives.
• Coordinating efforts with various divisions within the Department of Agriculture to effectively carry out its duties.

Prosecutorial Authority

The Special Investigator will have the authority to initiate civil or administrative actions against packers and live poultry dealers for violations of regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act. This includes:

• Notifying the Attorney General about any actions taken in federal court.
• Maintaining the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to issue subpoenas related to the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Limitations

The Special Investigator's authority is limited to entities regulated under the Packers and Stockyards Act. This means the office cannot bring actions against entities that are not covered by this particular legislation.

Conforming and Technical Amendments

The bill also includes amendments to conform existing legislation to the new office's structure and responsibilities, as well as technical corrections to earlier statutes.

Relevant Companies

• TSN (Tyson Foods, Inc.): As one of the largest processors of chicken, beef, and pork, Tyson Foods may be directly impacted by increased scrutiny and enforcement of competition practices in the meat and poultry industry.
• BRK.B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.): This company owns several meat processing brands, including a significant stake in Kraft Heinz, which could face implications related to competition laws affecting the meat sector.
• FAIR (Fairlife, LLC): As a company involved in dairy and protein products, Fairlife may also feel the effects of stricter regulations concerning competition and trade practices in food and agriculture.