Tammi Etheridge Publishes Article in the Florida Law Review The article examines how antitrust enforcement has led to higher meat prices and how the politicization of food production harms the poor.

By Law Communications
May 21, 2025

Washington and Lee law professor Tammi Etheridge has published an article in the Florida Law Review. The article, “The Big Cost of Small Farms,” examines how antitrust enforcement has led to higher meat prices and how the politicization of food production results in disparate harms to poor people.

“Americans love meat. We celebrate our independence with steaks on the grill, we enjoy our favorite pastime with hot dogs, and we give thanks with turkey. Our love of meat is so ingrained in our culture that, historically, small increases in meat prices have driven the populace to riot. Today, meat prices are rising. Simultaneously, the largest meat processors and packagers are seeing record profits. Consumers, in turn, are outraged. Their emotions are being fueled by politicians who blame rising profits on a pandemic of greed and collusion and then argue that rigid antitrust enforcement is the only solution.

“This account, however, relies on several false premises. While antitrust is thought to provide consumers with more choice, lower prices, and better quality, that expectation is not true in every arena. In the context of food and agriculture generally, and meat specifically, antitrust enforcement is more likely to raise food prices, limit cheap food options for poor people, and exacerbate problems of hunger and poor nutrition. In reality, the group most likely to benefit from such enforcement is small farmers, as was intended. Antitrust, as applied to meat, is thus both regressive and protectionist, sacrificing food accessibility in favor of protecting small farms,” writes Etheridge.

The article is available online at the W&L Law Scholarly Commons.

If you know a W&L faculty member who has done great, accolade-worthy things, tell us about them! Nominate them for an accolade.