With the U.S. cattle herd at historically low levels, USDA is promoting programs to expand domestic meat processing capacity. USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears told the Red River Farm Network there is interest from independent companies and producer cooperatives in purchasing closed processing facilities. “The ‘Big 4’ are important; we have to feed the country, but it doesn’t provide the opportunities for the individual marketing.” Brashears says USDA’s new SPUR loan guarantee program could help finance those independent investments and reduce industry consolidation. The program is designed to support expansion and diversification of meat processing capacity. Under traditional state inspection programs, meat products generally must remain within state borders. However, the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program allows eligible state-inspected facilities to sell products across state lines. “It really expands the number of customers you have. That’s kind of the bottom line,” said Brashears. She says the additional market access can help independent processors grow and compete. Brashears also highlighted USDA’s voluntary “Product of USA” labeling standard, which identifies qualifying meat products from animals born, raised, harvested and processed in the United States. Listen to the interview.
