Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $55.2 million in competitive grant funding available through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program.

“Throughout the past year, America’s meat producers and processors have faced unprecedented market challenges. At a time when producers are experiencing increased demand for high-quality meat, meat processors across the United States are racing to increase their capacity to meet the demands of consumers and producers,” said Congressman Lucas. “USDA’s new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program will give processors the tools to become federally inspected facilities, which widens their customer base while maintaining strong inspection standards. It will also reduce the financial burden for smaller meat processors, by reducing the high cost of compliance with Federal requirements that are barriers to entry and/or survival. I’m proud to see this program being implemented to expand the opportunities for not only Oklahoma’s processing facilities, but meat processors across the United States.”