The USDA has dispersed the first round of $73 million across 21 projects in 19 states, using the vehicle of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. The second phase will comprise $75 million for eight projects through the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program. A third component will comprise $75 million for four meat and poultry-related projects through the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union representing workers in meat packing plants and retail locations, welcomed the USDA attempt to restructure intensive livestock production. Marc Perrone, President of UFCW International, stated, “As America’s meatpacking and food processing union, UFCW applauds the Biden Administration and the Department of Agriculture for working to improve capacity and create a fairer, more diverse meat and poultry industry.”
Predictably, the Union called for programs that promote training and advance worker welfare. Perrone noted, “Any attempt to expand or improve this industry moving forward must include specific provisions for fair labor standards that protect workers and safeguard the protections already won at unionized processing facilities around the Nation.”
If the USDA funds small plants the UFCW will not in fact benefit as these facilities will not be unionized.