The White House on Tuesday signaled there is an executive order coming from President Joe Biden that would direct USDA to draw up regs coming on agriculture, including 'right to repair' issue, boost competition. USDA will also be ordered to develop new rules on concentration in the industry.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the action will focus on several fronts to "increase competition in agricultural industries to boost farmers' and ranchers' earnings, fight back against abuses of power by giant agribusiness corporations, and give farmers the right to repair their own equipment how they like."
The effort will also direct USDA to develop regulations relative to the Packers and Stockyards Act. Those regulatory actions are not necessarily new as USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has previously said the agency was going to develop new rules covering certain areas of the law. Further, Psaki said that the order will also direct USDA to come up with new rules relative to the "Product of the USA" labeling effort which is voluntary.
USDA will also be ordered to come up with plans to "increase opportunities for farmers to access markets and receive a fair return, including supporting alternative food distribution systems," Psaki said, including farmers markets, and "developing standards and labels that consumers can choose to buy products that treat farmers and agricultural workers fairly."