New USDA rule might abolish local meat processors

USDA has proposed rule changes in the meat processing sector that could drive Iowa meat lockers out of business.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging people to send their comments to USDA before the deadline (June 19). He's worried that the recent proposed rule change by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) "could hurt the ability of Iowa's small meat processors to continue to serve our rural communities."

Small meat processors have expressed concerns that the Draft Guidance rule issued by USDA could require local meat lockers to do significantly more microbial testing, which would dramatically increase costs for these businesses and limit their competitiveness while having unclear benefits to food safety.

"I have heard a lot of concerns about the proposed rule changes by USDA from the owners of our state's small meat processing facilities as well as the livestock producers and rural residents who benefit from having these businesses located in their community," says Northey. "Recent comments from leaders at USDA indicate they are moving away from some of the most costly new proposed requirements, but it remains important that concerned citizens continue to make their views known."