Source:  Dani Friedland, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 2/10/11

Nebraska may have its own poultry and meat inspection program, if a state senator gets his way.
Legislation introduced by Sen. Tyson Larson of Nebraska’s 40th district would implement a “cooperative state inspection program” under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act on or before Jan. 1, 2013.

Establishments that process poultry, meat or poultry and meat products for human consumption would be subject to ante and post mortem inspections, re-inspection, sanitation and program management that at least equals the system implemented in the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act.

Initially, the program would be funded by the Commercial Feed Administration Cash Fund. After the initial $200,000, fees for inspections and licensure would fund the program.

In testimony before the state’s agriculture committee, Dawn Kucera, a member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation and owner of Sandramere Beef, expressed concerns about the funding, but expressed the NEFB’s support for the measure. “The establishment of a state meat inspection program has the potential to open many doors for Nebraska farmers and ranchers who are interested in direct marketing their meat and poultry products,” her prepared testimony says.

A copy of the bill is available for download here. 

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