University of Wisconsin Law School professor Peter Carstensen testified May 7, 2008, before the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights. The hearing addressed antitrust enforcement in agriculture, with a specific focus on the proposed acquisition of National Beef and Smithfield's beef operations by JBS-Swift.

Carstensen shared a panel with Douglas Ross, Special Counsel for Agriculture of the Antitrust Division, discussing the overall record of antitrust enforcement in agriculture.

JBS-Swift is the third largest American beef processor, now owned by JBS, a large Brazilian meat packer. National Beef is the fourth largest beef processor in the U.S. and Smithfield's beef operations comprise the largest cattle feeding operation in the country and three slaughter facilities, including one in Green Bay, the fifth largest operation in the country.

The hearing materials are available at http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=3329 .

Submitted by on May 8, 2008

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