Herb Kohl: “I am today introducing with Senators Baucus and Conrad a bill that will eliminate the prohibition on interstate commerce…”

“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.”