U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on Sept. 27 sponsored legislation that would authorize newly established U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans and loan guarantees to assist new and expanded meat processors and renderers across the country.
“This legislation will help eliminate waste, support small businesses, and provide consumers with more affordable options at the grocery store,” Sen. Moran said.
The bipartisan Butcher Block Act, S. 2951, which is cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), aims to enable small and mid-sized meat and rendering facilities to expand their operations and to create competition and capacity in their industries.
“High prices don’t just drive up price tags at the grocery store, but also result in higher input costs for ranchers and meat processors,” said Sen. Moran. “Providing resources to allow smaller processors to upgrade and expand their operations will make it easier for ranchers to bring their cattle to market.”
If enacted, S. 2951 also would include eligibility for cooperatives that are producer-owned and eligible for refinancing, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Moran’s staff.
The bill also would create a new USDA grant program to expand, diversify, and increase resilience in meat processing and rendering facilities that would help facilities receive technical assistance to manage and train a new workforce; help small and medium-sized facilities achieve compliance with state and federal regulations; and develop new innovative or mobile facilities to improve local and regional access to processing and rendering services, the summary says.
“Colorado’s livestock production sits at the heart of our $47 billion agriculture sector, but too many producers struggle to find local or regional processing options,” said Sen. Bennet. “Congress should make it easier and more cost effective for Colorado’s family farmers and ranchers to bring their animals to market. Our bipartisan legislation strengthens local food systems, increases competition, and helps lower prices for Americans.”
The Kansas Farm Bureau, the National Bison Association, the North American Renderers Association, and the U.S. Cattlemen’ Association support the measure, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.
S. 2951 is companion legislation to the same-named H.R. 559, introduced on Jan. 26 by U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-ND) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) in their chamber.