JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NDFU) – North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne made the following statement today on President Joe Biden’s executive order addressing monopolies and concentrated markets in the U.S. economy.

The order includes 72 initiatives that will strengthen antitrust enforcement, protect livestock producers from abusive practices, improve food labeling schemes, lower rail freight costs, and create new market opportunities for farmers and ranchers.

“We’re excited and encouraged by President Biden’s executive order today, which takes important steps toward a system that works for farmers, ranchers and consumers. For decades, Farmers Union has called for action on these issues. We’re happy to see movement toward fixing inequities in the marketplace.

“We need competitive markets, plain and simple. We can’t afford to stand by as big monopolies continue posting record profits while farmers and ranchers go out of business. Farmers Union will always fight for fair markets.”