HCR 5046
House Concurrent Resolution No. 5046
By Special Committee on Agriculture
12-16
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION encouraging Congress to pass an 18-month moratorium on agriculture business mergers.
WHEREAS, Concentration of segments of the beef and pork industries is occurring; and
WHEREAS, Such concentration must not result in lower commodity prices for Kansas farmers and ranchers and higher food prices for American consumers; and
WHEREAS, Pending mergers of grain companies could result in disproportionate control of the grain market; and
WHEREAS, Renewed investigative efforts, including enforcement of the antitrust laws, must be generated by the justice department and the packers and stockyards division of the United States department of agriculture to ensure the competitive market structure: NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas, the Senate concurring therein: That Congress pass an 18-month moratorium on agriculture business mergers in order to facilitate discussion of antitrust issues; and
Be it further resolved: That the justice department and the packers and stockyard division of the United States department of agriculture enforce the antitrust laws in the livestock and grain industry; and
Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send enrolled copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice-President of the United States, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Attorney General of the United States and to each member of the Kansas Congressional Delegation.