By Matt Kneece, CFSA South Carolina Policy Coordinator | Friday, Mar. 17, 2023 –
The Strengthening Local Processing Act (SLPA) is bipartisan legislation that could be added into the 2023 Farm Bill and provides real solutions for the ongoing bottlenecks in livestock processing in the Carolinas.
Filed in February 2023, SLPA lays out a national strategy for sustained investment in our small and very small meat processing plants. The bill addresses the workforce shortage by:
- Creating new training programs.
- Increasing regional and interstate trade by growing the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program.
- Expanding local and regional processing capacity by funding critical capacity expansion grants.
The closest USDA-inspected facilities are often hours away, and appointment times are scarce once there.
Livestock processing, and the increasing expenses and delays associated with it, continue to afflict many of CFSA’s growers and producers. The closest USDA-inspected facilities are often hours away, and appointment times are scarce once there. These bottlenecks result in expensive and frustrating delays for growers and producers, but hope is on the horizon. SLPA offers an opportunity to tackle these problems at the source.
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association supports SLPA and advocates for its full inclusion in the 2023 Farm Bill.
Will You Take Action Today to Provide Solutions for Livestock Processing Bottlenecks in the Carolinas?
Have five minutes? Get in touch with your U.S. members of Congress and let them know you support the Strengthing Local Processing Act. Here’s how:
- You have three members of Congress who represent you. Look up their contact information or call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected.
- Call each’s office.
- Leave a message indicating your support. Here’s a script you can use (adapt as you like):
“Hello, my name is _________, and I am a constituent and a _________ (farmer, parent, concerned voter, etc.).
As your constituent, I care about livestock production! The Strengthening Local Processing Act will support livestock producers and processors by expanding their capacity to meet consumers’ needs. Will you consider co-sponsoring the Strengthening Local Processing Act?
Thank you for your time.”
Consider signing the Letter of Support circulated nationally by the National Sustainable Agriculture Colation, of which CFSA is a member.
Thank you for joining us in this campaign!
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