Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for funding the USDA, sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue renewing her calls for an investigation into hundreds of millions of dollars in payments to Brazilian-owned meatpacker JBS.
“In light of a now-proven pattern of criminal conduct, I write to request the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiate suspension and debarment proceedings against JBS USA, the U.S. subsidiary of the Brazilian-owned and controlled meatpacker JBS SA, and each of its companies, including but not limited to Pilgrim’s Pride,” wrote Congresswoman DeLauro. “This relevant corruption and illegal behavior are directly related to the company’s entry to and consolidation of the United States meatpacking sector.”