Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Promotes Fair Competition in Livestock Markets and Expands Market Access for American Meat Producers

ADVANCING COMPETITION AND ACCOUNTABILITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to support American producers’ ability to butcher, process, package, and sell their meat to consumers across state lines while maintaining the highest standards of food safety while avoiding being overcharged by monopolistic practices in the meat processing industry. 

• The Order directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize investigations into potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, increase federal resources for these investigations, and review existing policies under the Act to strengthen protections for producers and ensure effective deterrence.
• The Order directs the Secretary of Agriculture to modernize meat inspections to focus on core safety, boost processing efficiency and technology, lower costs to add value for ranchers and consumers, and remove unnecessary and burdensome requirements that do not support essential food safety needs.
• The Order directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create a “one stop shop” resource and coordinator position within the Department of Agriculture to expand federal licensing and connect producers to inspection options, provide additional resources and training for small and very small meat processors, expand interstate market access for eligible meat products, and streamline processes to increase State participation in the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, and the Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program. 
• The Order directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a “Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers” loan program to help small and regional processors continue their operations, expand their footprint, and increase diversity of animal proteins being processed.

EXPANDING MARKET ACCESS FOR U.S. MEAT PRODUCTS: To strengthen the national food supply chain and foster competition, the administration is expanding domestic market access for U.S. ranchers while maintaining food safety protections.   

• Record-low beef herd size from the Biden administration’s war on cattle that pursued radical climate activists’ misguided policies has strained America’s slaughter and processing infrastructure.
• President Trump is committed to promoting fair competition in livestock and meat markets, protecting producers and small processors from unfair, deceptive, or monopolistic practices, and expanding legitimate market opportunities for American-raised livestock and meat products.
• State-inspected small processors are currently unable to sell their products outside of their own state without heavy regulatory approval. This action ensures greater interstate market access for eligible meat products while maintaining the highest standards of food safety that help make U.S. born, raised, harvested, and processed food the best in the world.
• As Americans eat more beef than ever, increasing competition in the marketplace and sustaining processing capacity for ranchers is essential, particularly in light of consolidation in the processing industry and reduced capacity and options for ranchers.
  • Over 40 years ago, the four largest beef packers accounted for 36 percent of all purchases of steers and heifers. Today, that has increased to 85 percent.
• The United States is the world’s largest consumer of beef by volume and ranks second globally in per capita beef consumption, underscoring beef’s importance to the American diet.
  • As Americans eat more beef than ever, it is necessary and appropriate to ensure that the supply of beef products will be sufficient to meet U.S. demand at affordable and reasonable prices. 
• Small and very small processors deserve unique focus, which is recognized by the work of the USDA Small Processors Action Plan, funding to reduce the costs of inspection, and the SPUR program.
• Strong slaughter and processing food‑safety standards preserve America’s reputation for world‑leading food quality. The Trump Administration has advanced this effort by establishing new federal–state cooperative agreements, such as in Georgia, and increasing state reimbursements—strengthening food safety while expanding market opportunities for ranchers, including sales across states lines.

FIGHTING FOR AMERICA’S RANCHERS:  Since Day One, President Trump and his Administration have worked and delivered for America’s ranchers and farmers – the backbone of our Nation’s economy and food supply.  

• The Department of Agriculture expanded its Remote Grading Pilot Program to  total 92 facilities in 34 States, helping many small- or mid-sized processors access official grading.
• President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts put more money in ranchers’ pockets each year, made the industry more attractive for investment, and boosted profitability for ranchers now and into the future.
• In October 2025, the Trump Administration announced new actions to fortify the American beef industry, reinforcing and prioritizing the American rancher’s critical role in the national security of the United States. Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture announced its Ranchers First Initiative, building off of these actions to rebuild the great American beef industry, including revitalizing regional processing.
• In December 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to stop price fixing, anti-competitive behavior, and foreign influence that drives up grocery prices and threatens the security of America’s food supply.
• In January 2026, the Department of Agriculture launched its new “Product of the USA” label for meat, poultry, and eggs that are born, raised, harvested, and processed all in the United States to ensure marketing protection and benefits for American producers.
• In March 2026, the Department of Agriculture provided $20 million in reduced overtime and holiday inspection fees for small processors.
• In June 2026, the Department of Agriculture launched the Small Processors Action Plan and opened a fourth round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program with $60 million to expand American processing capacity.