The Agriculture Small Business Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2006, S. 3519 and H.R. 6130, both amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to approve interstate shipment of state inspected meat. Current law bans interstate sales of state inspected beef, poultry, pork, lamb and goat prohibiting free and open interstate commerce for these commodities. S. 3519, sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch (Utah), and H.R. 6130, sponsored by Representative Roy Bunt (Missouri), reverse the interstate shipment ban.

Allowing interstate meat sales is just common sense—no other food commodity is prohibited from being shipped across state lines. Additionally, foreign-produced meat is shipped and sold freely nationwide, meaning current law discriminates against domestic products. The Hatch-Blunt legislation gives domestic farmers and ranchers more opportunity to compete in the marketplace and expand small business, rural economies, and regional trade.

Grange Policy

Grange policy on interstate shipment of meat is as follows:

Food and Meat Inspection Programs

1. The National Grange urges an increase in inspection regula­tions on all livestock, feed, meats, dairy products and all by-products being imported from all countries to the United States for the protection of our animal industry. We support extending mandatory inspection regulations to seafood. We support legislation to implement pathogen detection and reduction strategies based on sound science that targets micro bio-contamination by pathogens that may be harmful to consumers. We request the USDA to strengthen the inspection process for meat and poultry that is being imported into the United States. However, we will oppose adopting “user fees” to pay for inspection services and or any changes in the system that will result in less than continuous inspection during processing of meat and poultry for human consumption.
2. The National Grange supports legislation to eliminate the unfair prohibition against the interstate shipment of state inspected meat and poultry products if the state meat and poultry inspection service is equal to or better than the federal meat and poultry inspection service system.
3. The National Grange urges Congress to fund, and the USDA to develop and disseminate, educational programs relative to safe handling of foods.
4. The National Grange will seek legislation to have the uniform expiration date stamped, not coded, on all processed food.
5. The National Grange supports legislation requiring more open notice to the consumer on products containing M.R.M (machine removed meat).

Action Needed

Please e-mail your U. S. Representative and U. S. Senators urging them to co-sponsor and support S. 3519 and H. R. 6130 before the end of this session of Congress. Please feel free to cut and paste the following sample letter. If you do not know your Senators and Representatives e-mail addresses please click here to find them.

Sample E-mail:

If you have any questions or comments regarding this Action Alert, please contact Legislative Director Leroy Watson by e-mail: lwatson@nationalgrange.org by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 114.

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