House Panel Considers Interstate Meat Sales

News Date June 15, 2007

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry considered and approved their 2007 farm bill proposals on May 24. It was the second subcommittee to approve their farm bill recommendations this week (see separate story).
        
During the session, Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wisc.) offered an amendment to allow interstate sales of state-inspected meat and poultry. The Kagen amendment was discussed, but further action was postponed until the full Agriculture Committee considers the farm bill in mid-June. The Kagen amendment contains exactly the same language as the Pomeroy-Blunt bill (H.R. 2315) and the Hatch bill (S. 1150).
        
Several lawmakers expressed support for interstate meat sales--and all of their remarks were positive. Subcommittee Chairman Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), and Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) each said they wanted to see interstate meat shipment accomplished in the 2007 farm bill. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) also expressed support. All of the lawmakers said they believe it is "time to move forward" on interstate meat sales legislation because debate has "gone on for too long."
        
In addition, USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner attended the session and lawmakers asked him several questions about USDA's position on interstate meat sales legislation. Conner replied that USDA has not officially taken a position. He noted that USDA recently completed a new review of state inspection programs--his other remarks about state inspection programs were generally positive. Peterson asked USDA to provide the committee with specific legislative language for the farm bill that would accomplish interstate meat sales.
        
In other subcommittee action, lawmakers approved a Boswell amendment on voluntary arbitration for livestock and poultry producers, and a Kagen amendment on federal support for veal producers. The subcommittee postponed action on several dairy amendments until the full committee consideration. The panel's 2007 farm bill proposal and a section-by-section summary and the amendments are posted on the House Agriculture's website at http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/2007FarmBill.html. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)