Rounds sponsors proposal to open up meat, poultry markets between states

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) wants to open up interstate commerce for state-inspected meat and poultry.

Sen. Rounds on June 5 introduced the bipartisan New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act, S. 1720, with five cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Joe Manchin (D-WV).

If enacted, S. 1720 would permit the sale across state lines of products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection programs.

“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,” Sen. Rounds said.

Currently, 27 states have inspection programs certified by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) that meet or exceed federal inspection standards, but are not allowed to sell products across state lines, according to the senator’s office.

“South Dakota farmers and ranchers produce some of the highest-quality meat in the nation,” said Rounds. “However, 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,” he added.

The bill has garnered the support of the United States Cattlemen’s Association, the South Dakota Farm Bureau, the South Dakota Pork Producers, the South Dakota Meat Inspection Program Director, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, the South Dakota Stockgrowers, and the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.

The bill has been referred to the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee for consideration.