Sen. Ben Ray Lujбn (D-NM) has introduced companion legislation to Rep. Vicky Hartzler’s (R-MO-04) bill, the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act, which would allow auction market owners to invest in small packing facilities.
Livestock auction markets are currently unable to own, invest in, manage or operate packing plants under the Packers and Stockyards Act. The A-PLUS Act—along with the Senate’s version of the bill, the Expanding Local Meat Processing Act of 2022—would remove that barrier by amending the Packers and Stockyards Act.
“Updating the Packers and Stockyards Act to allow for their participation in the small and regional processing sector may facilitate a more competitive marketplace outside of the Big Four,” said Bob Noble, president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, in a statement of support.
