Tuberville introduces bill to cut red tape and support livestock producers

WASHINGTON – In a move to cut red tape and help expand markets for small livestock producers, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville joined Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act.

The legislation would give livestock and poultry producers greater market access nationwide, according to Tuberville (R-Auburn), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“Cutting red tape and providing our cattle and livestock producers with additional avenues to sell their Made in the US products is a win,” said Tuberville. “We must ensure we are putting American farmers and livestock producers first, not last. I’m proud to join Senator Marshall in this legislation to support our family farms, small meat producers, and provide consumers easy access to all-American meat.”

According to a news release, the legislation would create a narrow exemption to allow small producers and butchers greater flexibility for interstate sales without compromising food safety or jeopardizing market access in international trade.

“The DIRECT Act expands consumer choice and supports Alabama cattle producers while maintaining food safety,” said Rick Pate, commissioner of Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries. “I commend Coach for co-sponsoring this legislation which provides more flexibility for interstate meat and poultry sales.”

The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association also endorsed the legislation.

“This bill helps farmers and consumers alike,” said Jimmy Parnell, president of the Alabama Farmers Federation. “The legislation creates new marketing opportunities for farmers while allowing consumers to buy direct from the farm with the added convenience of home delivery.

“We appreciate Coach Tuberville’s support of this bill and his continued support of farmers in Alabama and across the country.”

The full text of the legislation is available here.

Many states, including Alabama, have state meat and poultry Inspection programs approved as at least equivalent to the standards established under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act. These programs are overseen through audits by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food Safety Inspection Service to ensure there are no food safety concerns.

State inspection is often less expensive and preferable to small processors. MPI programs require food safety plans and, similar to federally inspected processors, have inspectors on-site.

“Streamlining accessibility of local beef for consumers while maintaining the safety of products is an innovative way to meet the continued demand of beef,” said Erin Beasley, executive vice president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. “We appreciate Coach’s support of the DIRECT Act which creates more opportunities for small farms and meat processors.”