U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) on July 6 introduced a bipartisan bill to permit the nation’s meat and poultry processors to become federally inspected facilities so they are able to more quickly sell their products across state lines.
“Right now, America’s meat producers and processors are facing unprecedented market challenges,” Rep. Lucas said. “At a time when producers are experiencing increased demand for high-quality meat, meat processors across the United States are racing to increase their capacity to meet the demands of consumers and producers.”
Rep. Lucas is the lead original cosponsor of the Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants (RAMP-UP) Act, H.R. 7490, with bill sponsor U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and eight other cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).
If enacted, H.R. 7490 would task the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary with making grants to meat and poultry processing facilities to fund planning activities, facility upgrades or other necessary improvements required to become a federally inspected establishment under either the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers’ offices. The amount of such a grant shall not exceed $100,000.
“The RAMP-UP Act gives processors the tools to become federally inspected facilities, which widens their customer base while maintaining strong inspection standards,” said Rep. Lucas. “I’m proud to join my friend and Agriculture Committee Chairman Congressman Collin Peterson in expanding the opportunities for not only Oklahoma’s processing facilities, but meat processors across the United States.”
The legislation also would require the USDA to work with states and report on ways to improve the existing Cooperative Interstate Shipment program, according to the bill summary.
Rep. Thompson pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted “the incredible importance” for having a strong food supply chain. “The RAMP-UP Act will ease the strain on our meat and poultry industry by cutting red tape for processors and get food on the tables of every American family more quickly,” he said.
H.R. 7490 has been endorsed by numerous organizations, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Farmers Union, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Pork Producers Council, and the American Sheep Industry Association, among others.