May 21, 1999

Five senators have asked Attorney General Janet Reno to move quickly on a review of existing antitrust laws to determine if legislation can help the Justice Department "effectively ensure a fully competitive environment in American agricultural markets."

As Justice analyzes information about conditions in agricultural markets to determine if enforcement actions are warranted, the senators asked that existing antitrust laws be reviewed to see if Congress can help. "It is imperative that we receive the department's recommendations as soon as possible," they told Reno in a letter dated Thursday. "The sooner the department's suggestions are forwarded to Congress, the sooner we can consider whether to implement your recommendations."

The letter was signed by Sens. Russell Feingold (D-WI), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL). "Right now Congress may be wasting precious time...as we await (Justice) to complete its review of market concentration in the agriculture industry," said Feingold. "It is imperative that (Justice) review current antitrust law and alert Congress to needed changes as soon as possible so that legislative action" can begin.