President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration will seek changes to allow farmers and ranchers to slaughter and process their own products, in an attempt to break what he calls “a nasty monopoly” among the nation’s top processors.
“I am authorizing legal documents to be drawn in order to allow Farmers and Ranchers to be given the right to PROCESS THEIR OWN FOOD,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This should move quickly.”
The announcement comes following a decision last week to allow an increase in beef imports over the next three months in an effort to reduce prices ahead of the midterm elections. Trump also signaled his interest in addressing ranchers’ concerns about the so-called Big Four meat processors during an interview Wednesday with conservative commentator Glenn Beck.
The Trump administration has already been considering industry-friendly policies in response to backlash from ranchers over the beef import plans.
READ: Trump praises Micron’s $10 billion investment in US for AI research (August 28, 2026)
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Friday in a post on X that “big announcements” are coming starting next week, including “expanding truth in labeling,” prioritizing “real support for small processors (funding and deregulation)” and fighting consolidation.
According to Politico, the administration has already rolled out $60 million for small meat processors. It also initiated an investigation into allegations that the Big Four meatpackers engaged in anti-competitive practices.
Beck, who owns a ranch, highlighted concerns about slaughter regulations during his interview with Trump, telling the president that the Big Four meatpackers and regulations are “just killing us.”
“This is a very big thing you just told me, though, because you just gave me a very good idea,” the president added.
Trump’s move also comes as the meat processing sector deals with a 75-year trough in supply, as rising cattle costs outpace gains from soaring prices. Four companies control about 85% of U.S. meat processing: Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS USA and National Beef Packing Co.
Lawmakers have previously tried to pass legislation that would allow small ranches and local slaughterhouses to sell meat directly to consumers without USDA inspections.
READ: Google appeals search monopoly ruling (May 24, 2026)
The bill, known as the PRIME Act, has bipartisan support, led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) in the House and Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Angus King (I-Maine) in the Senate. However, the legislation failed to gain traction because of opposition from agricultural groups that claim the change would create a food safety threat.
Massie posted on X on Friday that Trump’s post “is great, but it should be a law, not just an executive order.”
“Pass the PRIME Act so consumers can get affordable U.S. beef and farmers can flourish!” Massie wrote.
Last week, Trump announced that more ground beef could be imported into the United States without tariffs. The Justice Department has also said it is investigating whether meatpacking companies were illegally driving up consumer beef prices.