Bipartisan Bills Could Assist Consumers Looking for Beef

WASHINGTON, DC – A new bill introduced recently would increase opportunities for small and medium-sized producers and processors.

The Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act, would allow state-inspected meat to be sold across state lines through e-commerce, providing more options for processors to market directly with consumers.

Introduced by U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), the bill is set to address the livestock industry’s ability to sell products via e-commerce.

Marty Smith, President of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA) and a Florida producer says “the American beef supply chain must evolve to keep up with the speed of commerce and the demands of modern-day consumers.”

In addition, the Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants (RAMP-UP) Act would establish a program to make facility upgrade and planning grants to existing meat and poultry processors to help them move to federal inspection and be able to sell their products across state lines.

Finally, a third bill has been introduced that would reduce USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service inspectors’ overtime fees for small meat processors.
(SOURCE: Texas Cattle Feeders Association)