United States issues executive order to support ranching industry

President Trump has issued an executive order aimed at supporting the American ranching industry and enhancing food security. The order addresses a national herd that has reached a 75-year low amid rising consumer demand for beef.

To support domestic producers, the administration is reviewing regulations that impact ranching and seeking to expand access to grazing lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. The policy also aims to reduce compliance costs associated with previous environmental regulations and provides tax incentives such as lowered death taxes.

A key component of the order focuses on livestock-market competition. It directs federal agencies to identify barriers to interstate meat sales and encourages ranchers to process, package, and sell meat more directly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been tasked with expanding investigations into potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act and coordinating with the Department of Justice on antitrust enforcement.

While the order seeks to allow producers to bypass large meatpackers, it does not exempt them from existing food-safety laws, state rules, or local health requirements. The USDA and other agencies are required to submit reports within 60 to 90 days regarding regulatory reviews, enforcement staffing, and legal barriers to competition.