House Bill Aims for More Local Meat Production
By Chuck Abbott, Successful Farming
Small livestock producers often face the problem of finding a meat processor who is located nearby or with the available capacity when their animals are ready for slaughter. Reps Chellie Pingree and Jeff Fortenberry said the bottleneck would be eased under their bill, filed on Tuesday, that increases funding for state meat inspection programs and offers grants so small plants can expand their facilities.
“In a previous time, we had more local meat processing,” said Fortenberry, Nebraska Republican, referring to concentration in the meatpacking industry. “This bill helps stimulate a return to that previous model, creating a robust market in local economies, linking the farm to the family.” Pingree, a Democrat, said the bill means more red meat and poultry production in her home state of Maine and “support for Maine’s small slaughterhouses and butchers.”