King, Rounds Push to Relieve Regulations on Interstate Commerce for Local Meat and Poultry Producers

Statement

U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act. The bipartisan bill would allow meat and poultry products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs to be sold across state lines. Currently, there are 27 states -- including Maine -- with inspection programs certified by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) that meet or exceed federal inspection standards. Despite this, products processed at state MPI inspected facilities are not currently allowed to be sold across state lines.

"It makes no sense that a local farmer should have to jump through extra hoops to widen their market reach, if they have already proven the quality of their product at a federally-approved state facility," said Senator King. "Maine farmers and producers who meet or exceed our high-quality state inspection standards for their meat and poultry should have the freedom to grow their businesses and expand across state lines. This legislation is commonsense, and gives our small businesses the ability to bring Maine-produced meat and poultry products to people throughout the country."

"South Dakota farmers and ranchers produce some of the highest-quality meat in the nation," said Senator Rounds. "However, currently cattle, sheep, swine and goat products are limited to markets within the state even though they are required to go through inspection at an FSIS-approved state facility. This makes no sense considering state inspection programs are required to be "at least equal to' or better than federal state inspection standards. Our bill would allow these high-quality products that pass state inspection standards to be sold across state lines, opening up new markets for our producers and giving consumers greater choice at the grocery store."

"Providing access to markets in neighboring states is critical for the success of Maine's beginning and young farmers," said Julie Ann Smith, Executive Director, Maine Farm Bureau. "We applaud Senator King's continuing and diligent efforts to support this important commodity and the success of Maine's farms."

Senator King has been a strong advocate for Maine farmers by helping to assist them to widen their markets. In May, Senator King introduced the PRIME Act to help small farmers bypass burdensome federal regulations for locally produced meats. Also in May, Senator King joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the Agricultural Export Expansion Act of 2019, legislation to remove a major hurdle for American farmers and ranchers aiming to sell American agricultural products in the Cuban market.

In December 2018, Congress passed the Farm Bill with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill included a number of King-backed provisions to support innovation and create new opportunities for the Maine's agricultural communities, including a modernization of rural broadband programs, permanent funding to educate and train beginning farmers and ranchers, and continuing support for important Maine products like dairy, blueberries and potatoes. In the 115th Congress, he introduced the CREAATE Act, which would expand export opportunities for agricultural producers by revitalizing the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program; both of these programs aim to increase American agricultural exports, and generate a net return of $28.30 for every dollar invested.

The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), and John Thune (R-S.D.). This legislation is also supported by the United States Cattlemen's Association and the American Farm Bureau.

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