South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson has introduced the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption For Certain Transactions or DIRECT ACT. This measure allows state inspected meat to be sold across state lines through e-commerce. South Dakota rancher and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Policy Chair Todd Wilkinson of DeSmet says the DIRECT ACT is badly needed due to the pandemic and the backlog of animals at processing plants.

He’s hoping logic will prevail with this bill and that it can get across the finish line in both the House and Senate and signed by President Biden.

Wilkinson says this measure allows producers the ability to sell directly to consumers which benefits both producers and consumers.

Wilkinson says the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association supports the bill and thanks Congressman Dusty Johnson for taking such a proactive approach in assisting livestock producers and consumers.