Poultry Companies, Consultant Accused Of Anti-Trust Violations

The U.S. Justice Department accuses Sanderson Farms, which has locations in Texas, and two other corporations of anti-trust violations affecting employees at chicken processing plants and chicken producers. They announced the federal lawsuit three days after Sanderson, Wayne Farms, and Cargill combined to form a privately owned chicken processing company. The Justice Department also named Cargill, Wayne Farms, and a Maryland-based consulting company of trading data to limit wages and benefits. The Justice Department proposes a settlement that pays affected employees $85 million and gives protections to chicken growers.