ANKENY, Iowa (March 12, 2010)—U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says a hearing that was held by both the Justice and Agriculture departments was the first step toward a new era of antitrust enforcement in industrial farming.

Officials say the goal is to develop new policies, or take new enforcement actions, that will ensure fair competition between farmers and big agribusiness companies.

The first hearing, held in Iowa on Friday, focused on the seed industry while others will look at competition in dairy, livestock and poultry production.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said the antitrust enforcement will help renew the rural economy, which has suffered as farmers and ranchers have been driven out of business over the last decade.