Meat regulation change proposed
Enzi cosponsors legislation
by Senator Mike Enzi press release
April 21, 2007
Argentinean beef marketers can freely sell their product across state lines in
the U.S., but Wyoming producers must jump through more federal hoops
before they are allowed to do the same. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming is
cosponsoring legislation that would end this domestic discrimination.
Enzi is an original cosponsor of S. 1150, the Agricultural Small Business
Opportunity and Enhancement Act, that would ensure meat that has been
state tested with the strictest federal standards could be sold across state
lines.
“We already allow meat from foreign countries to be sold in our nation based
on a promise that those nation’s standards are the same as ours. However,
the law prevents Wyoming producers from selling their beef or lamb across
state lines even when state standards mirror federal standards. This
legislation irons out the language and helps put our small producers on equal
footing with those in other nations,” said Enzi. “I have been contacted by
meat packers in Cody and cattle ranchers from Crowheart to Cheyenne who
support this effort. Allowing meat that is raised, processed, and inspected in
Wyoming to leave the state gives producers access to new and value added
markets.”
The bill would open markets and expand economic opportunities for
producers, according to Enzi. As the law is written now, meat and poultry
products (beef, poultry, pork, lamb and goat) that are not federally inspected
may only be sold within the borders of the state, even after passing a state
inspection which is on par with federal inspection guidelines. Meat and
poultry from some foreign countries is allowed to be freely shipped and sold
anywhere in the United States.
The bill, S. 1150 introduced by Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, builds upon similar
legislation Enzi co-sponsored in the 109th Congress and has been referred to
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for further
consideration.
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