Smithfield Foods Hires Greenberg Traurig on Farm Bill

Why It Matters

Smithfield Foods is lobbying on science-based animal welfare standards and Farm Bill reauthorization while contending with U.S. scrutiny of its foreign ownership ties and agricultural land holdings.

By the Numbers

Smithfield Foods ended its relationship with Holland & Knight LLP in the second quarter of 2026, filing a termination that reported $90,000 in lobbying expenses. The company simultaneously filed a new registration with Greenberg Traurig LLP, reporting $120,000 in lobbying expenses for the second quarter. Chris DeLacy of Greenberg Traurig LLP was the registered lobbyist for Smithfield Foods Inc. in the second quarter of 2026 amendment filing. DeLacy previously worked as Legislative Counsel in the personal office of Sen. John Warner (R-VA) and has filed 30 lobbying disclosures.

SBroader Context Broader Context

SBroader Context Broader Context

Smithfield Foods has been navigating heightened congressional scrutiny over Chinese ownership of the company and its U.S. agricultural holdings. A political action committee is warning that Congress is being lobbied by Smithfield and other pork industry groups to insert language into the Farm Bill to weaken animal welfare protections under California's Proposition 12. The company's recent lobbying disclosures indicate it is focusing on Farm Bill reauthorization and science-based animal welfare standards as key legislative priorities.