The purpose of this executive order is to provide support to American ranchers to butcher, process, package and sell their meat to consumers across state lines and avoid being overcharged by monopolistic practices of meat processors. The order directs more vigorous enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act (the Act). The secretary of agriculture is directed to prioritize and expand investigations into potential violations of the Act by packers and other covered entities; increase resources, staff and investigative capacity within the Packers and Stockyards Division of the Department of Agriculture; coordinate with the DOJ to refer cases for appropriate enforcement and pursue complementary antitrust actions where appropriate; and submit a report to the president detailing current enforcement action needs and a plan for heightened enforcement of the Act. The secretary of agriculture is also directed to expand opportunities for the interstate shipment of meat products; create technical assistance and training programs for small and very small meat processors; establish an easily accessible web resource with information regarding local meat slaughter and processing availability; modernize meat inspection to sharpen the focus on core food safety; boost processing efficiency and technology; lower costs to add value for ranchers and consumers; remove unnecessary inspection reports and requirements that do not advance essential food safety needs; and establish a coordinator position within the USDA to implement these actions. The secretary is also to submit a report to the president assessing current participation in state-federal cooperative inspection programs and identifying statutory and regulatory barriers to greater interstate market access for state-inspected products. Finally, the secretary is to take actions to establish a Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers guaranteed loan program for small and regional beef processors to help those processors continue operations and expand their footprint.
News | September 4, 2026