In letters sent today to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committee, Budget Committee and Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, AMI joined two dozen food and agriculture trade associations in opposition to so-called “user fees” for government mandatory inspection programs for meat, poultry and egg processors. The fees were included in the Obama Administration’s proposal for the Fiscal Year 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture budget.
Because meat, poultry and egg inspection protects public health and safety and benefits everyone, the letter argued the inspection should be paid for through appropriated funds.
AMI has long opposed user fees for mandated meat inspection services, arguing that the fees ultimately will be passed onto consumers in the form of higher meat, poultry and egg prices.
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