WATERLOO – Small Northeast Iowa meat processors are worried the government could regulate them out of business.
As steaks and hamburger patties were packaged Wednesday at B&R Quality Meats on Park Road, owners Mark Ratkovich and Dennis Brennan said retail prices will increase and profits decrease to comply with tougher meat testing regulations suggested by the federal government. If the rules are implemented, it would cost them tens of thousands of dollars.
"Every time an expense is added, it will cut into the bottom line," Ratkovich said.
He worries profitability could be squeezed to the point raises and benefits, like profit sharing, for employees could be in jeopardy. How much the business is worth, after 30 years building it, is also a concern, Ratkovich said.
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