WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) reintroduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, legislation that would provide support to America’s small meat and poultry processors to help strengthen and upgrade their operations. The bill would provide training, education, and technical assistance grants to help small processing plants improve and streamline their operations. Additionally, it would open new markets by allowing inspector-approved meat products to be sold across state lines. Helping smaller, locally owned processing facilities be competitive in today’s market will help lower costs for consumers by spurring competition in an already consolidated meat industry.
“Minnesota is proud to be the largest turkey producer in the country, and we know that a strong meat and poultry processing industry is critical to maintaining a stable economy, especially for Minnesota’s farmers,” said Smith. “Right now, just a handful of large companies have come to dominate the industry, which means higher prices for consumers and shrinking earnings for farmers. I’m glad to introduce this bill with Senator Thune to help even the playing field for local Minnesota meat and poultry processers, expand business markets for small producers, and keep food local for Minnesotans at the grocery store.”
“South Dakota’s producers work hard to raise high-quality livestock and play a critical role in our nation’s food supply,” said Thune. “It’s important that we invest in expanding local processing capabilities to help them meet consumer demand. My legislation would help our small meat and poultry processors bolster their operations and provide them with more local marketing opportunities.”
“The National Deer Association (NDA) is proud to support the Strengthening Local Processing Act, as this bill would provide necessary resources for bolstering our nation’s small and very small meat processors,” said Nick Pinizzotto, chief executive officer of the NDA. “These businesses are responsible for the bulk of our country’s custom-exempt wild game processing, which is fundamental to our ability to both manage deer populations and process that lean, natural protein. We appreciate Sen. Thune’s leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him to get this bill to the president’s desk.”
Four large meat-packing companies control 85 percent of the beef market. In poultry, the top four processing firms control 54 percent of the market. And in pork, the top four processing firms control about 70 percent of the market.
Smith has long worked to spur competition in America’s meat processing industry. Last year, she secured funding to double the capacity of a meat processing facility in Perham, MN. She also secured funding for Clean Chickens and Co. LLC to construct a lamb and goat processing facility and Farmers Union Foundation to build a new red meat processing facility. She secured funding to increase meat cutting and butchery career pathways for students by enabling the Minnesota State Northern Agricultural Center to expand its training facilities and purchase new processing equipment for Central Lakes College in Staples, MN. The Senators also secured mobile meat slaughtering and processing equipment for students enrolled in meat processing career pathways at both Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College.
Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Jim Baird (R-Ind.) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine).
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