SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has announced that state-licensed meat processors will be able to ship meat over state lines after the state reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
South Dakota and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service have entered into an agreement that allows state-licensed facilities to ship meat as if they were federally inspected.
“Our food supply is a matter of national security, so we need to increase diversity in the supply chain to offer more options to Americans,” said the Noem.
“For too long, meat producers have been shortchanged due to anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry. These new opportunities will expand their options and allow them to ship South Dakota meat across state lines.”
The Republican governor has tried to bolster smaller meat processors in the state amid meat markets dominated by major meat producers.
In recent weeks, she has also touted a grant program for small meat processors and called on the Department of Justice to investigate major meatpackers.
