The New Meat Monopoly: How Consolidation Affects the EATER
Channel: New America
Date: 13/03/2014

The New Meat Monopoly: 
The Animal, The Farmer, and You in the New Age of Global Giants

A generation ago, the business of raising animals for food in America looked much like it had at the Founding - family farms, open and competitive markets, high standards, and a self sustaining national economy. Today, vast corporations rule almost every corner of the animal agriculture landscape, and these giants are increasingly controlled from foreign capitals. Some economists argue in favor of this new order of things, mainly claiming it is more "efficient." But there's also growing evidence that this top-down system can harm the wellbeing of animals, the farmer, and the eater. Join New America's Markets and Resiliency Program in an open discussion of the pros and cons of America's new industrial meat system, and of cutting edge efforts to reform the worst practices.
 
During the morning, Wayne Pacelle, President of the Humane Society of the United States, will discuss his organization's brand new alliance with family farmers, which has the potential to entirely transform the politics of animal agriculture in America. Also, Christopher Leonard, author of the new book The Meat Racket, will head a discussion of the little-known but fast-growing and highly disturbing practice in which local monopolists pit farmers against one another in "Tournaments." Leonard's book, the first detailed look in a generation at concentration in animal agriculture, is fast on its way to becoming a best seller, thanks to recent boosts from The New York Times, Bill Maher, and NPR's Morning Edition.
 
Join the conversation online by using #MeatMonopoly and by following @NewAmerica.

Agenda
How Consolidation Affects the EATER 
Food Safety, Country of Origin Labeling, Pricing and The Beef Tax 
      
Featured Speakers: 
Dudley Butler
Former Director of the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration
 
Siddhartha Mahanta
Policy Analyst, New America
Author of "Big Beef," in the Washington Monthly, January 2014
@sidhubaba
            
Patrick Woodall
Research Director, Food & Water Watch
@foodandwater
                         
Dean Gold
Former VP of Procurement for Whole Foods,
Owner of Dino's Grotto restaurant, in Washington, DC.
 
Moderator:
Kimberly Kindy
Food safety reporter, The Washington Post

http://newamerica.net/events/2014/industrial_meat