Department of Justice's Antitrust Division

Food & Drink Weekly, May 14, 2007

Meanwhile, the proposed acquisition of Premium Standard Farms by Smithfield Foods "is not likely to harm competition, consumers or farmers," so the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division has decided to close its investigation, according to a DOJ statement. The Bureau of National Affairs reports that the division made the decision after "a careful investigation," of the proposed merger.

It examined both pork packers and processors, focusing on "fresh and processed pork, the purchase of hogs from farmers, and the purchase of services from farmers who raise hogs owned by the merging parties."