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Livestock groups applaud FSIS funding action

Two major livestock groups say they’re pleased with the action taken by Congress to prevent furloughs of federal meat inspectors.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) are applauding the move, which gives USDA the flexibility to shift 55 million dollars from other accounts to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). 

NPPC president Randy Spronk calls it “very good news for pork producers and other livestock and poultry producers”.  He says the furloughs would have had negative effects on pork producers, meat packers and consumers.

NCBA president Scott George agrees, saying a halt in inspections would have “resulted in a backlog of animals, shortened supply of beef to market, higher prices and harm to the futures markets.”