Bill · S. 4996· Senate(119-S-4996)
Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/15/2026
- Last activity
- 7/15/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Peter Welch
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2026 aims to reduce corporate concentration in the food and agriculture industry. It establishes a moratorium on large mergers and mandates a retroactive review of previous mergers to determine if they should be unwound. The bill introduces reforms to the farm system, including mandatory country of origin labeling for beef, pork, and dairy. It also provides increased funding and resources for beginning, retiring, and socially disadvantaged farmers. Additionally, it creates grants and loans for supply chain infrastructure and a pilot program for processing facility inspections.
Yes· 3 of 32
Would farmers be better off under this?+9
Strongly protects small farmers through antitrust measures, funding, and fair pricing requirements.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+9
Directly invests in rural infrastructure and preserves the viability of rural communities.
Does this invest in rural communities?+9
Provides significant grants and loans for rural supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities.
The opposite· 3 of 6
Would billionaires be better off under this?-8
Directly targets the consolidation and profit structures of mega-corporations.
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?-7
Imposes moratoriums and potential unwinding of mergers for the largest agribusinesses.
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?-6
Targets large corporate mergers and acquisitions, which often benefit high-net-worth investors.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Support for Specific Farmers: Section 301 provides reauthorization and increased funding of $100,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 for beginning, retiring, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
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Consumer Transparency: Section 202 restores mandatory country of origin labeling for beef and pork and adds dairy products, allowing consumers to know where their food comes from.
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Fairer Pricing and Practices: Section 204 prohibits packers and dealers from engaging in unfair, deceptive, or discriminatory practices and requires poultry contracts to guarantee a minimum price.
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Legal Recourse for Producers: Section 208 allows a prevailing plaintiff in a civil action to be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee, making it easier for farmers to hold officials accountable.
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Infrastructure Development: Section 401 authorizes grants and loans to help rural businesses and cooperatives increase the production and marketing of value-added, niche, or regionally marketed meat, dairy, and poultry products.
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Improved Inspection Access: Section 402 creates a 5-year pilot program to expand the availability of processing inspectors and technical assistance, including no-cost overtime inspections for eligible facilities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Business Growth: Section 101 imposes a moratorium on mergers and acquisitions for certain dealers, processors, and retailers with annual net sales or total assets exceeding specific thresholds (e.g., $222,000,000).
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Business Instability: Section 102 allows the government to unwind previous mergers if they are found to have caused material harm to competition, workers, consumers, or farmers, which could disrupt existing corporate structures.
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Strict Requirements for Processors: Section 402 limits the pilot program for inspection and technical assistance only to facilities that have a "labor peace agreement" in place.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+9Good For Rural Residents+9Good For African Americans+7Good For Asian Americans+7Good For Hispanic Americans+7Good For Native Americans+7Good For Union Workers+7Good For Young Adults+6Good For Retirees+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For White Americans+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Children+2Good For Urban Residents+2Good For Billionaires-8Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals-7Good For High Net Worth Individuals-6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+8Improves Union Protections+6Improves Consumer Protection+5Increases Job Creation+4Improves Economic Growth+3Reduces Inflation+2Reduces Government Spending-3Reduces National Debt-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+9Improves Environmental Protections+3Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+6Improves Due Process+4Improves Government Transparency+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Pandemic Preparedness+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade-2
- 7/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts