South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson along with several other co-sponsors have put in the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID 19 Act. The Congressmen are asking Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack for his backing of this measure that would reduce USDA FSIS overtime fees for very small and small meatpackers. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Eric Jennings says this measure will help reduce the backlog of animals at processing plants.
He says getting this bill over the finish line will also give consumers more options and allow them to purchase their meat from local processors.
Jennings says this legislation is a good beginning in helping packers, producers, and consumers recover from the pandemic.
Under the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief legislation, fees for very small packers would be reduced by at least 75 percent and by at least 30 percent for small meat processors.
