The Butcher Block Act, which supporters say will boost U.S. meat processing capacity, won bipartisan support from the House Ag panel last week. The legislation is in contrast to the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act, which was fiercely contested, advancing only along partisan lines. Butcher Block co-author, Republican Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, noted that both parties agree that American meat production is out of “equilibrium”.

“We are about 6,000 head a day short of production capacity in this country for us to reach that equilibrium. And I think a lot of us feel, frankly, that having 85 percent of the market in control of four large packers is also suboptimal.” 

Johnson’s co-author, Democrat Abigail Spanberger of Virginia says this legislation looks to spur new plants outside the "big four".

“It is a critical step toward increasing competition and helps provide upfront capital. I was pleased that USDA recognized the importance of setting up a program like this and chose to use funds from the American Rescue Plan to establish a similar program.”

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