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Legislation reintroduced to increase access to meat and poultry products
Bipartisan legislation has been introduced that would allow meat and poultry products to be sold across state lines. Currently, there are 29 states with inspection programs, certified by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), which meet or exceed federal inspection standards. However, products processed at these facilities cannot be sold across state lines.
The bill, sponsored by US Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Senator Angus King of Maine, would allow products that pass federally-equivalent state inspection standards to be sold across state lines. Senator Rounds says this would open new markets for producers and give consumers more choice at the grocery store.
The legislation is endorsed by the South Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Stockgrowers, South Dakota Farm Bureau, and R-CALF USA. Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Tina Smith of Minnesota, John Thune of South Dakota, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Steve Daines of Montana, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Jon Tester of Montana, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, and John Hoeven of North Dakota also support the bill.
Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House by Representative Alex Mooney of West Virginia.
The legislation was also introduced in the 115th, 116th, and 117th sessions of Congress.
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