Tyson Foods disputed U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ claim that the company had committed to selling its recently shuttered beef plants only to American-owned companies or producers, including cooperatives. Tyson said its position had not changed and that the facilities remained available to any buyer, foreign or domestic. Rollins said Tyson CEO Donnie King had given her a verbal commitment to an American buyer after Tyson announced last month that it would shut or sell three U.S. beef plants and packaging operations sites. The dispute comes as foreign-owned companies control a large share of U.S. beef processing, while tight cattle supplies have pushed beef prices to records ahead of the November midterm elections. Tyson, Cargill, JBS USA and National Beef Packing Company slaughter about 85% of U.S. grain-fattened cattle. The Trump administration has raised concerns about foreign ownership while allowing 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef to enter at reduced tariff rates for 90 days. The USDA has also introduced support measures including loans for small meat processors and grazing on conserved land.