Bill > S5066

This bill aims to support small and very small meat and poultry processing establishments in several ways: 1) It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a free, searchable database of approved validation studies and publish scale-appropriate model Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans to help smaller and very small establishments develop their own HACCP plans. The Secretary must also publish guidance on the requirements for these establishments to get their HACCP plans approved. 2) It increases the maximum federal share for expenses of state meat and poultry inspection programs from 50% to 65%, providing more funding support. 3) It expands the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program to allow larger small and very small establishments (up to 70 employees) to ship their products across state lines. 4) It creates a new competitive grant program to help eligible small meat and poultry processors adapt to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, including supporting employee health and safety, increasing processing capacity, and building resilience. 5) It authorizes new training programs at higher education institutions and for processors themselves to develop the workforce for local meat and poultry processing. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the capacity and resilience of small and very small meat and poultry processing establishments across the country.