Bill > HB584

This bill establishes a Meat Production Justice Grant Program administered by the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority to provide financial incentives to beef and pork producers who maintain high-quality production standards. Specifically, beef producers must maintain Beef Quality Assurance Certification, and pork producers must maintain Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus Certification to be eligible for grants. The grants can be used to fund facility improvements and operational needs that help producers meet quality assurance standards. Producers who receive grants must sign a written agreement committing to maintain their certification for five continuous years, with quarterly verifications of compliance. If a producer breaches the agreement or fails to meet certification standards, they may be required to complete a corrective action plan and could lose grant access or be required to repay funds. The bill creates a dedicated fund in the state treasury for the grant program, with moneys appropriated by the general assembly, and allows the authority to develop rules for implementing the program. The goal of the program is to promote sustainable production practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice in meat production.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB584&year=2025&code=R