Oregon Rep. Mark Owens (R-60) has sponsored two bills that could make it easier for ranchers to sell their meat and local meat production to be promoted in the state.
House Bill (HB) 2258 would allow for a farm or ranch owner to sell an ownership interest in their animals to consumers. Owens said the goal for HB 2258 is to bypass the middle man and allow ranchers to sell directly to consumers. Restaurants would be able to buy products directly from ranchers and sell them. HB 2786 would direct the state Department of Agriculture to study barriers to family-scale meat production and how to promote the industry. The department would also recommend legislative or regulatory ways to remove any barriers.
As of April 8, HB 2786 was approved by the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and was in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. HB 2258 was still being reviewed by the Ag Committee. Owens has expressed his certainty that the two bills will receive support from the majority party.
