NCBA Declares Support For Hartzler-Sponsored Bill

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has announced support for a bill introduced last week in Congress by Missouri’s Vicky Hartzler.  The Harrisonville Republican was joined by Democrat Jimmy Pannetta of California in introducing the A-PLUS Act, or “Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States”.  The bill would clarify regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act to allow livestock market owners to have an ownership stake in small meatpacking entities.  NCBA and other supporters say that’s another tool to boost processing capacity and solve some key challenges in cattle marketing.

Clint Berry, chair of NCBA’s Livestock Marketing Council, says that the need for new packing facilities has become a critical issue for the cattle industry.  He adds that the A-PLUS Act would make it possible for the marketing segment of the cattle industry to be included as investors in facilities, helping reduce dependence on major packers and improve the competitiveness of the live cattle market.  NCBA also says the meatpacking sector continues to be a bottleneck in the supply chain.

From NAFB News Service