U.S. announces plans to create a more competitive meat supply chain

The United States has announced the "Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain" that also seeks to create better earnings for producers and more choices and affordable prices for consumers. USDA has increased available funding and is releasing new program details to support the meat and poultry supply chain including:

Expanding independent processing capacity

• Increase competition and create more options for producers and consumers in the near-term by jump-starting independent processing projects.
• Strengthen the financing systems for independent processors.
• Back private lenders that invest in independently owned food processing and distribution infrastructure.

Supporting workers and the independent processor industry

• Build a pipeline of well-trained workers and support safe workplaces with fair wages.
• Promote innovation and lower barriers to entry via publicly accessible expert knowledge.
• Provide $100 million in reduced overtime inspection costs to help small and very small processing plants keep up with unprecedented demand.

Strengthen the rules that protect farmers, ranchers, and consumers

• Issue new, stronger rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act—the law designed to combat abuses by the meatpackers and processors.
• Issue new “Product of USA” labeling rules so that consumers can better understand where their meat comes from.

Read the complete fact sheet here.