Published July 6th, 2025.

Currently four companies, JBS, Tyson Foods, National Beef Packing Co, and Cargill, control 85% of meatpacking. Owning the key stage in the supply chain allows these companies to undercut ranchers and overcharge retailers.

Small ranchers are currently forced to get their cattle packaged at USDA inspected facilities. Local meatpacking facilities are at a fraction of what they used to be due to the big four's market consolidation. When ranchers want to sell direct to consumer, they are forced to travel far distances, pay more money, and lose control over quality and ingredients as a result. Most ranchers are stuck in the system of selling their cattle to be finished on feedlots because of the USDA mandates and few packing options.

The Prime Act would help revive local meatpacking facilities to support local, family owned ranches. The Prime Act would allow ranchers to get their cattle packaged at state approved facilities for in-state sales. The legislation would spur local food systems, increase investment in state approved packing facilities, and lower barriers for ranchers to sell direct to consumer. The bill would not lower food safety standards since states have the same standards as the USDA which are often inspected by the same individuals. Read the bill below.

"This bill exempts from federal inspection requirements animals and meats that are slaughtered and prepared at custom animal slaughter facilities for distribution within the state. Under current law, a custom slaughter exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered exclusively for personal, household, guest, or employee uses.

Specifically, the bill expands the federal inspection exemption to include the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, meat, and meat food products that are:

• slaughtered and prepared at a custom slaughter facility in accordance with the laws of the state where the facility is located; and
• prepared exclusively for distribution to household consumers in the state or restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, grocery stores, or other establishments in the state that either prepare meals served directly to consumers or offer meat and food products for sale directly to consumers in the state.

The bill does not preempt any state law concerning (1) the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, meat, and meat food products at a custom slaughter facility; or (2) the sale of meat or meat food products." Read more here.

It is important that you contact your State and US Senators and Representatives to let them know that you support the Prime Act. The Act is currently sitting with the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Here is a full list of US House Representatives and their contact information. Here is a full list of US Senators and their contact information.