U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley wants the federal government to take a closer look at the economic impact of having a small number of companies controlling the country’s meat packing industry.

Four large packing corporations control 85 percent of the market, according to the Republican senator.

Grassley has joined U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minnesota, on legislation intended to push the federal government to scrutinize the economic impact of consolidation in the livestock market.

“Consolidation in the meat and poultry industry impacts Iowa producers and consumers alike and right now they’re feeling the squeeze,” Grassley said in a written statement. “The current patchwork of available data isn’t enough to tackle this problem. Our bipartisan legislation will work to address ag concentration by providing farmers, ranchers and shoppers a full picture of how the market is working.”

The legislation is called the Livestock Consolidation Research Act.

It directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to examine the economic impact of consolidation on farmers, ranchers and consumers.

The bill awaits action by Senate committees. Grassley indicated that he would like to see it included in the larger Farm Bill.