(NAFB.com) – Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Tina Smith (D-MN) reintroduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, legislation that would provide support to America’s small meat and poultry processors to strengthen and upgrade their operations. The bill would give small meat processors more access to information that’s critical to food safety planning, allowing for more inspector-approved meat products to be sold across state lines, and direct resources toward training, education, and technical assistance grants. “It’s important that we invest in expanding local processing capabilities to help them meet consumer demand,” said Thune. “This will provide them with more local marketing opportunities.” Smith also said the legislation is important to Minnesota, the largest turkey producer in the country. “We know that a strong meat and poultry processing industry is critical to maintaining a stable economy, especially for our farmers,” Smith said. “Right now, only a handful of large companies have come to dominate the industry.”
