“Biden sets sights on the meat processing industry while lobbying soars” [Open Secrets]. “The White House took aim last week at meat processing companies for the prices of poultry, beef and pork increasing. The meat processing and products industry has already spent nearly $2.1 million on lobbying in 2021 and is on pace to match or beat its 2020 lobbying spend of $4.1 million. Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese and other White House officials said just four firms control the majority of the meat processing market, allowing them to push higher prices on consumers while reaping record profits. Since December 2020, the price of beef rose by 14%, pork by 12.1%, and poultry by 6.6%, contributing to over half of the higher costs consumers see at the grocery store, according to the White House. The largest meat processing firms also spend the most on lobbying, according to data compiled by OpenSecrets. A study by the Open Market Institute found that JBS SA, Tyson Foods, Cargill and Smithfield Foods collectively control 53% of the meat processing market. ”