Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) published a piecethis morning in the Columbia Daily Tribune highlighting the importance of Missouri’s agriculture industry and her new legislation, the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act. The bill would increase meat processing capacity by allowing livestock auction market owners to invest in small and regional packing facilities.
Read the piece below:

Here in Missouri, our farmers and ranchers work from sunup to sundown to produce a healthy and nutritious food supply. As a lifelong farmer myself, I understand that farming is not just a job – it’s a life decision we make every day to care for the land, our livestock and the natural resources that provide for billions of people around the world.
Right now, our state’s producers are facing pressure from every part of the supply chain — increasing input prices, restrictive government regulations, labor shortages, backups in processing capacity and record-high inflation.
[…]
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am in Washington fighting every day for farmers against the Biden administration’s damaging agriculture agenda. We need common-sense farm policy that assists our farmers and ranchers in doing their job — not restricting them.
[…]
In Washington, one way I’ve advocated to increase competition in meat processing is through my new bill, the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act, which would increase meat processing capacity by allowing livestock auction market owners to invest in small and regional packing facilities. In today’s environment, where the cattle industry is focused on additional shackle space and increasing packer competition for livestock, this legislation would allow additional capital opportunities for expanded cattle markets.
[…]
America’s future depends on agriculture. I am proud to stand alongside America’s farmers and ranchers so the American consumer can continue to enjoy the safest and most affordable food supply in the world.