Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act.

Sec. 2. Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters

The Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, is amended by inserting after section 415 (7 U.S.C. 228d) the following:

416. Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters

(a) Establishment

There is established within the Packers and Stockyards Division of the Department of Agriculture an office, to be known as the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters (referred to in this section as the Office).

(b) Special investigator for competition matters

The Office shall be headed by the Special Investigator for Competition Matters (referred to in this section as the Special Investigator), who shall be appointed by the Secretary.

(c) Duties

The Special Investigator shall—

(1)

use all available tools, including subpoenas, to investigate and prosecute violations of this Act;

(2)

serve as a Department of Agriculture liaison to, and act in consultation with, the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector;

(3)

act in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security with respect to national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector; and

(4)

maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise.

(d) Prosecutorial authority

Notwithstanding title 28, United States Code, the Special Investigator shall have the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized under this Act.