Source: Candace Cansler, NC Meat Processors Association, March 29
I am writing on behalf of The North Carolina Meat Processors Association (NCMPA) representing approximately one hundred companies engaged in meat processing in North Carolina and suppliers to the industry located across the nation. Meat processing companies in North Carolina are currently inspected by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Meat and Poultry Inspection Division (NCDA/MPID & CS) and also by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA/FSIS). The plants inspected by the NCDA/MPID & CS are small or very small businesses. Unlike large, factory-style slaughterhouses, the plants under NCDA/MPID & CS inspection accept orders from small farmers that bring just a few animals at a time. These animals do not have to be uniform in size or weight as those processed by the large USDA/FSIS inspected slaughterhouses. The small slaughterhouses provide product for the rural independent grocery stores and restaurants.
The NCDA/MPID & CS provides valuable services to small and very small meat processing companies, such as assistance with inspection and safety plans. The Federal Meat Inspection service does not have enough resources to provide necessary service to assist the small and very small meat processing companies in North Carolina. USDA/FSIS is staffed to deal with large plants and utilize state inspection services to assist smaller companies that are developing and growing. NCDA/MPID fosters commerce without compromising safety. It conducts 172 daily inspections at establishments across the state. The NCDA/MPID staff is responsive, providing meat processing businesses with more assistance and greater accessibility than they would have under USDA/FSIS oversight.
Continuation of the service provided by the NCDA/MPID program is important and is tied to the survival and thriving of small meat and poultry processing plants in North Carolina. The year 2011 is a critical year for the meat processing industry because additional requirements are being implemented and these small and very small companies need assistance from the NCDA/MPID. NCDA/MPID is the only resource for industry training courses. This training includes a free course in food safety and other workshops offered in cooperation with North Carolina State University. NCDA/MPID staff members also give presentations at industry association meetings. The NCDA/MPID staff provides assistance by telephone on labeling, inspection requirements and other aspects of operating a meat processing plant. NCDA/MPID has top-notch Food Safety measures in place.
Most NCDA/MPID plants are in rural areas of the state. NCDA/MPID inspection program helps market the products of this state. It also helps the economy in rural areas. 188 Meat and poultry establishments are inspected daily and employ more than 3,000 workers. These establishments are estimated to generate income of approximately 6 billion dollars a year.
In the past 10 years, the number of registered meat handlers has grown tremendously. Today, there are more than 640 registered meat handlers in the state. This number includes more than 430 farmers, who take a few animals to slaughter at a time and sell the meat at local farmers markets. In comparison, there was only one farmer registered as a meat hander in 2002. Farmers interested in becoming meat handlers can expect an on-site visit from a NCDA/MPID staff member to explain all provisions and also provide educational literature. USDA/FSIS does not provide this service.
The NCDA/MPID provides necessary economic development resources to all the small and very small meat processing companies in NC, by assisting and enabling companies to meet various inspection requirements that otherwise companies this size would not have adequate funds or resources to do for their individual companies. The greatest advantage of the NCDA/MPID program is that communication between inspectors and plants is easier. There are fewer levels of inspection and bureaucracy in a NCDA/MPID plant and communication is less complicated. When new regulations are implemented by state inspection, they try to make them achievable and affordable by the industry and inspection, since there is generally no extra money from USDA to carry out new regulations.
Elimination of the NCDA/MPID in North Carolina would cost small and very small companies funds that could result in some of these meat companies closing their doors. When Michigan and Arkansas state meat inspection programs were eliminated in 1981, leaving only USDA inspection, the number of plants that remained in inspection dropped dramatically. That means the small and very small plants are unable to compete in the wholesale markets that require inspection by USDA. Arkansas had 171 plants under state inspection and 168 federal plants in 1981. By 1991 it had only 126 plants total including 21 Tyson plants. Michigan had a total of 487 plants (408 state and 79 federal) and by 1991 it had a total of 251. Elimination of the NCDA/MPID services in North Carolina would cost small and very small companies funds that could result in some of the smaller meat companies closing in North Carolina.
North Carolina continues to face the effects of economic recession. While Agribusiness too has seen its share of challenges over the years, we are a strong, viable industry and will continue to sustain the foundation of North Carolina’s economy. We have been here since the beginning and remain the economic engines of our local communities and the state as a whole. We are the #1 industry in North Carolina and we will drive the economic recovery of our state. The meat processors in North Carolina are an integral part of Agribusiness in North Carolina. North Carolina’s Agricultural industry, including food, fiber and forestry, contributes $74 billion annually to the State’s economy, and accounts for 18% of the State’s income, and employees over 17% of North Carolina’s workforce. North Carolina is one of the most diversified agriculture states in the nation, furnishing its residents, as well as the world, with a dependable and affordable supply of food and fiber. Agribusiness is located in all 100 counties in NC.
Therefore, the North Carolina Meat Processors Association respectfully request that no drastic cuts to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Meat & Poultry Inspection Division be taken. We are asking that budget reductions to the NCDA/MPID be spared in the name of food safety and economic prosperity.
Candace Cansler, NCMPA
Executive Director | 