NASDA Submits Farm Bill Testimony On Market Competition
News Date April 19, 2007
NASDA has submitted written statements for two congressional hearings this week on competition in the livestock market. Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees scheduled hearings on April 17 and 18 on the 2007 farm bill and market competition issues.
NASDA's testimony called on lawmakers to address market access and allow state-inspected meat and poultry to be sold in the national marketplace. Market access is critical for small producers and processors in many rural communities, especially areas which straddle state boundaries. NASDA pointed out that maintaining the ban on interstate meat sales hurts small meat processors and denies them many economic opportunities. NASDA's statement noted that 34 foreign countries are eligible to freely ship and sell their meat and poultry products anywhere in the U.S. while domestic small businesses cannot.
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry held the first hearing on April 17 and heard testimony from numerous farm and livestock organizations. During the session, the National Farmers Union and American Farm Bureau Federation expressed support for allowing interstate meat sales to increase competition and economic, marketing, and trade opportunities for producers. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)