The Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced jointly on Wednesday that public comment is now being accepted from farmers, lawyers, economists, researchers, consumer groups and other parties interested in opening a dialogue about agribusiness issues in the 21st century.

“It is important to have a fair and competitive marketplace that benefits agriculture, rural economies and American consumers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a press release issued by the Department of Justice.

Gina Talamona, deputy director of public affairs for the Department of Justice, told ivnews.INFO that there is no particular reason or no particular complaint for forming the workshops.

“This is an initiative of Secretaries Holder and Vilsack,” she said.

The workshops are expected to generate dialogue about:

• the effects of agriculture on food costs
• the effects of regulatory statutes or other laws on competition
• patent and intellectual property affecting agricultural marketing or production
• market practices such as price spreads, forward contracts, packer ownership of livestock before slaughter, market transparency, and increasing retailer concentration

Workshops will be held regionally and possibly in Washington. But, Talamona said that workshops specific to the Imperial Valley can be requested during the comment process.

Public comment is being accepted by the DOJ until December 31, 2009 and can be submitted either by email to agriculturalworkshops@usdoj.gov or by hard copy, in which the commenting party must submit two paper copies by courier or overnight service and address it to the Legal Policy Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 5th Street, N.W., Suite 11700, Washington, D.C. 20001.