[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KOHL (for himself, Mr. Baucus, and Mr. Conrad):
  S. 1149. A bill to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the 
Poultry Products Inspection Act to authorize the interstate 
distribution of State-inspected meat and poultry if the Secretary of 
Agriculture determines that the State inspection requirements are at 
least equal to Federal inspection requirements and to require the 
Secretary to reimburse State agencies for part of the costs of the 
inspections; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I am today introducing with Senators Baucus 
and Conrad a bill that will eliminate the prohibition on interstate 
commerce in State-inspected meat and poultry products. Senator Hatch is 
also introducing a State meat inspection measure and I congratulate him 
on his bill. We are working together and in collaboration with the 
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and a 
coalition of national, State, and local agricultural organizations on 
this effort. I expect our coalition to grow over time. Together, we 
intend to push for changes that will protect public health and safety 
and at the same time help state-inspected meat and poultry processors 
compete in new markets.
  Removing the current prohibition will help level the playing field 
for small businesses and spur additional competition in the 
marketplace. It will help main street businesses--who often specialize 
in local, organic, grass-fed or artisinal products--meet emerging 
markets. And it will help livestock producers who want more options for 
marketing their livestock.
  For too long, processors with State-inspected facilities have been 
unfairly constrained to selling only within their home States. 
Meanwhile, foreign-processed meat can be shipped anywhere in the United 
States so long as the originating Nation's inspection program is deemed 
equivalent to U.S. Federal standards. We want our State-inspected 
processors to be treated at least as well. This is an effort to give 
main street businesses the same opportunity our Government confers on 
foreign processors.
  I look forward to working with Senators Hatch, Baucus and Conrad and 
a number of our House colleagues on this topic in the months to come.
                                 ______