Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2026

The Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2026 aims to address market concentration in the food and agricultural sectors by imposing a moratorium on large mergers and requiring a retroactive review of past deals that may have harmed competition. It strengthens regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act to prohibit unfair practices, such as restrictive forward contracts and performance-based penalties in poultry production, while also mandating that packers purchase a significant portion of livestock through transparent spot markets. The bill restores mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, pork, and dairy products to increase transparency for consumers and producers. Additionally, it provides increased funding and grants to support beginning, retiring, and socially disadvantaged farmers, as well as small-scale processing facilities, to bolster rural economies and food system resilience.