Resolution in Support of The PRIME Act

Task Forces: Energy, Environment and Agriculture

Issue Areas: Energy, Environmental Stewardship, Agriculture

Summary

This resolution expresses a state’s support for the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act or the PRIME Act. The PRIME act amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to permit intrastate distribution of custom-slaughtered meat such as beef, pork, or lamb to consumers, restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, and grocery stores.

Model Resolution

WHEREAS, the COVID19 pandemic has shown the importance of a robust food supply;

WHEREAS, four major processors handle over 90% of the nation’s meat production;

WHEREAS, consumer preference for locally produced food is a popular and growing trend;

WHEREAS, current federal law prohibits intrastate sale of meat from a farmer to anyone outside their family, friends, or employees unless it has been processed at a federally inspected facility;

WHEREAS, federally inspected meat processing facilities may be prohibitively far from farmers wishing to sell locally;

WHEREAS, states should be given the opportunity to regulate the processing and sale of meat within their borders as part of a federalist political system;

WHEREAS, the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act, or the PRIME Act, amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to permit intrastate distribution of custom-slaughtered meat such as beef, pork, or lamb to consumers, restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, and grocery stores;

WHEREAS, intrastate processing and sale of meat strengthens America’s food supply by increasing the number of processing facilities in the United States;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that {State} supports federal passage of the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act or PRIME Act.