Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman on Senate Introduction of The New  Markets
for State-Inspected Meat Act November 19, 1999 
                                                               
                                          Release No.  0465.99 

Statement
                              by 
                                
                                
Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman on Senate Introduction of
          The New Markets for State-Inspected Meat Act
                       November 19, 1999
                                
     "I want to thank Senators Daschle and Hatch for introducing The New
Markets for State Inspected Meat Act.  The Clinton Administration forwarded to
Congress this legislation for a seamless, national meat and poultry inspection
system. The bill reinforces a single safety standard for all meat and poultry
and will allow for interstate shipment of state-inspected product.
                                
"I am pleased to join our partners in Congress in urging quick passage of this
bill that would open new markets for small businesses producing meat and
poultry products. The bill would provide American consumers with a greater
variety of safe meat and poultry products. Additionally, the bill promises to
strengthen USDA's relations with state inspection programs and ensure that
    state programs continue to provide specialized service. 
                                
"State inspection programs have expertise in addressing the unique needs of
very small plants, many of which produce specialty and seasonal meat and
poultry products.  To allow these small businesses to ship interstate and
internationally will provide expanded economic opportunities for state plants
        near borders or those catering to niche markets.
                                
     "I would also like to thank the members of the National Advisory
Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection for sharing their ideas and insights. 
The advice of the committee, comprised of consumer, state, and industry
representatives, helped shape the consensus bill introduced today."
                                
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Note to reporters: Additional co-sponsors are Senators Harkin, Conrad, Baucus,
  Johnson, Dorgan, Bingaman, Burns, Brownback, and Voinovich.