By Staff
A bill recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would provide federal support to small meat and poultry processors and help strengthen and streamline their operations.
The legislation would give small food processors more access to information that is critical to food safety planning, allow more inspector-approved meat products to be sold across state lines, and funnel federal dollars toward training, education, and technical assistance grants. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine. It s initial sponsors are U.S. Sens. Jon Thune, R-South Dakota, and Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon.
“The supply chain disruptions and restaurant closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have placed increasing financial pressure on Maine’s rural farming communities, including our small farms that raise livestock,” Collins said in a news release.