Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025
Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill aims to support small and local meat and poultry processing businesses by providing grants, technical assistance, and increased federal funding. It would require the USDA to create a searchable database of safety studies to help smaller processors develop food safety plans. The bill also increases federal funding for state inspection programs (from 50% to 65% federal cost-sharing) and expands the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program (from 60% to 80% federal funding), which allows state-inspected facilities to sell products across state lines and internationally. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily benefits small and very small meat processing facilities—those with fewer than 500 employees or less than $2.5 million in annual sales. Local farmers, ranchers, and regional meat producers could gain better access to tools and funding to meet federal safety standards.
The bill also affects states, which would receive increased federal support for their inspection programs, and potentially consumers by supporting local food production infrastructure. **Current Status** The bill (S. 1509) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator John Thune (R-SD) and is currently in committee review. It has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025This bill revises provisions related to meat and poultry processing establishments, including by establishing grants and a database to assist smaller establishments (i.e., at least 10 but fewer than 500 employees) and very small establishments (i.e., fewer than 10 employees or annual sales of less than $2.5 million).For example, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish a searchable database of peer-reviewed validation studies for use in developing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plans for smaller and very small establishments.The bill increases the maximum federal cost shares for (1) state meat and poultry inspection programs (from 50% to 65%), and (2) the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program (from 60% to 80%). The CIS program allows state-inspected facilities to operate as federally-inspected facilities and ship their products in interstate commerce and internationally.Additionally, USDA must conduct outreach to states that have meat and poultry inspection programs, but do not participate in the CIS program. The bill also allows certain establishments with up to 50 employees (currently up to 25 employees) to participate in the program. USDA must also award grants to increase resiliency and diversification of the meat processing system, including activities that support (1) the health and safety of meat and poultry plant employees, suppliers, and customers; (2) increased processing capacity; and (3) the resilience of the small meat and poultry processing sector.Further, the bill establishes a grant program for meat and poultry processing career training programs, including structured apprenticeships.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S2666-2668)