WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — President Donald Trump said Friday that he plans to issue a legal order that could give farmers and ranchers more freedom to process their own food. He said the move would target what he called a “nasty monopoly” among major U.S. meat processors.
Trump did not identify a specific food or industry in his Truth Social post. However, he said officials were quickly preparing the legal documents needed for the order.
Trump has recently focused on the beef industry. Earlier this week, he told conservative commentator Glenn Beck that he would examine whether federal rules create too many restrictions for beef processing.
Beck, who owns a ranch, told Trump that Department of Agriculture rules make it harder for ranchers to process their own cattle. He said the rules force many producers to depend on a small number of large meat processors.
Four companies dominate much of the U.S. meat processing market. Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS USA and National Beef Packing Co. control about 85% of the sector.
The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the administration would make major announcements about beef processing starting Monday. She said the plans would include steps to expand ranchers’ ability to sell meat across state lines.
Rollins also said the administration would provide more support for smaller meat processors. In addition, she said officials would withdraw what she called “outdated guidance.”
The White House did not immediately provide further details about Trump’s planned legal order.
Federal rules currently limit how ranchers can sell meat from animals they slaughter and process themselves. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service oversees meat safety and sends inspectors to processing plants that handle products for interstate commerce.
Some exceptions exist under federal law. Still, ranchers generally must use USDA-inspected facilities when they want to sell meat across state lines.
Farm and ranch groups argue that consolidation gives small producers fewer choices when they sell cattle.
As a result, some ranchers must transport animals long distances to reach inspected processing facilities. Those trips can add high costs for smaller operations.
The Meat Institute, which represents meatpacking companies, said consumers could face greater risks if uninspected meat enters the market.
The group also argued that weaker safety rules would not solve high beef prices. Instead, it said the government should focus on measures that protect food safety while addressing costs.
The Biden administration also pursued rules designed to increase competition in meat and poultry markets. The Trump administration has indicated that it plans to reverse some of those rules.
The administration has taken other steps to address beef prices. Last week, Trump said the United States could allow more ground beef imports without tariffs.
In addition, the Justice Department has said it is investigating whether major meatpacking companies illegally pushed up beef prices for consumers.
The details of the proposal, including how it would affect federal inspections and small ranchers, remain unclear.
