Action pnum1231 Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log Support HR 3187 - Let States decide custom meat sales (PRIME Act) ********** [161145:102822] N.C., Portland, OR My name is Nancy Jean Crawford, a citizen of the U.S.A. I believe our government has too much over reach at this time, especially were it involves, slaughtering animals, taking that away from small businesses by what they charge farmers, I'm for custom slaughter houses to be sold to the consumers, subject to state law. Also for affordable slaughter plants subject to each state law. ********** [121134:051520] R.B., Brooklyn, NY It's time we as Americans take a stand and support the quality and integrity our fellow American Farmers bring to the production of our food supply. I strongly urge both the House and the senate to pass "The Prime Act" to start to give our farmers an even playing field and to start the process of restoring the great American food supply chain our predecessors and forefathers had intended for this great Nation. Take note in your consideration that it was the farmers who gave birth to this nation and we owe them a fair, competitive and just system. We also owe the consumer the right to make the choice of where they get their meat from. Robert Brown ********** [141005:011017] R.H., Hattiesburg, MS As a constituent, I urge Representative Toby Barker to co-sponsor H.R. 3187, the PRIME Act. This important bill will make it easier for small farms and ranches to succeed financially and provide consumers with greater access to locally raised meats. The bill simply removes the federal ban on the sale of meat from custom slaughterhouses directly to consumers and venues serving consumers within a state, subject to state law. This returns power to the states to establish a regulatory scheme that makes sense for their citizens. The PRIME Act is the first step to rebuilding local processing infrastructure, which can revive rural economies and enable communities to become more self-sufficient in meat production. Please support our local farmers and consumer choice by co-sponsoring H.R. 3187. Regena Hoye Hattiesburg, ms 39402 ********** [104356:100716] D.G., Bristol, PA Local products to the individual states,are exactly what keeps state-local economies diversified and stable.The Federal Government has absolutely NO business interfering in state regulations.Local state communities benefit greatly from the health and economic benefits of purchasing locally:Common Sense!!!Since the Cool Act has been repealed,it is more important than EVER to support the Prime Act. Thank you in advance to members of the US Senate and House who are supporting the individual states rights. ********** [233228:100316] J.G., Boston, VA Help give small production local farmers a fighting chance to bring quality crafted meats to the free market system and not get bullied out by the big players. ********** [154445:100316] R.M., Charlottesville, VA I feel very strongly about the support of this bill. Please vote YES on H.R. 3187. Thank you for your time and consideration, Ross McDermott Charlottesville, VA ********** [154743:092416] M.N., Chantilly, VA Please support the PRIME act. We need to do what we can to help support small farms and ensure access to quality locally-produced food. ********** [145125:090316] T.P., Raleigh, NC It's not the federal government's job to tell us what we can and can't eat. This is bigger than nutrition, or local farmers, or animal welfare -- although it encompasses all those things. It's about freedom. ********** [105557:062416] T.M., Coeur D Alene, ID In addition to many small farmers have difficulty accessing USDA slaughterhouse facilities, the carbon footprint and stress on the animals all contribute to making the current requirements untenable. I urge you to support the PRIME Act. ********** [103351:062316] L.B., Priest River, ID This would allow us to grow our tiny farm-based business. We could supplement our retirement pay and meet our needs and those of our neighbors. ********** [224750:062116] A.R., Coeur D Alene, ID Please allow small farms to humanely harvest animals onsite and sell their meat to locals. ********** [223531:062116] B.S., Coeur D Alene, ID We need the Federal Government OUT of state issues. Let farmers do what they do best. ********** [171726:042216] J.G., Arroyo Grande, CA Hi, My family has owned a butcher shop for 24+ years and we know this act would benefit our community. Our shop is Arroyo Grande Meat Co. and has been up and running since 1897. All the local animals even as far away as Bakersfield and Santa Barbara used to be processed here. When the laws changed in the late 60s that took most of that away. Many people want to sell animals they raise but now it's so difficult to have done most won't do it leading to businesses like ourselves to import product from another state and sell here. We want to have local meat for sale here, it's what people want, we know what we're doing here, at our facility, at least now we are all licensed processing inspectors. We toured superior farms and I asked how they hired people and they said through a temp agency, they are federally inspected. Who do you think cares when something falls on the floor or has been out to long? I'm not saying we are right and they are wrong, I just feel we could do a better job providing for our community where they feed the masses. Thankyou ********** [171158:042216] J.G., Arroyo Grande, CA Hi, My family has owned a butcher shop for 24+ years and we know this act would benefit our community. Our shop is Arroyo Grande Meat Co. and has been up and running since 1897. All the local animals even as far away as Bakersfield and Santa Barbara used to be processed here. When the laws changed in the late 60s that took most of that away. Many people want to sell animals they raise but now it's so difficult to have done most won't do it leading to businesses like ourselves to import product from another state and sell here. We want to have local meat for sale here, it's what people want, we know what we're doing here, at our facility, at least now we are all licensed processing inspectors. We toured superior farms and I asked how they hired people and they said through a temp agency, they are federally inspected. Who do you think cares when something falls on the floor or has been out to long? I'm not saying we are right and they are wrong, I just feel we could do a better job providing for our community where they feed the masses. Thankyou ********** [135618:041516] P.C., Mooresville, IN I believe it is past time for a bill like this. We need to return control of the food process to as local a level as possible. ********** [234035:031116] K.K., Wilmington, CA As a young and new farmer, we need to bring local meat back to the table. And most importantly affordable meat back to everyone. Meat is being shipped in containers from over seas, lets keep this real and the business in the US! YES ON THE PRIME ACT! Go California! ********** [105953:030816] G.E., Aline, OK Please consider restoring personal responsibility back to local control- between the consumer and the producer. Allowing this legislation to pass will be a boon for local economy and productivity, bedrock principals for a free society. ********** [180511:030416] M.B., Ramona, CA In order to support local growers and livestock producers and at the same time make our food more sustainable i urge support of of the Prime Act. Take the step to put local food production back into local hands. ********** [123348:030116] C.H., San Diego, CA As a beginning farmer, it is difficult for me to make the leap into farming in San Diego where such limited infrastructure exists to support my future animal operation. San Diego County desperately needs small and medium scale slaughterhouses to support both our local food system and support new farmers. Furthermore, as president of San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project, I represent the voice of my community of food enthusiasts that are eager to support and purchase meats from local farmers. These consumers are driving our food system, they need an option to purchase local meats that are produced with sustainable practices and where animal welfare is prioritized. Trucking animals over 6 hours north of LA to find an acceptable slaughterhouse is neither sustainable nor in the best interest of the animals. Please help us on a path to create slaughterhouses in San Diego County! ********** [094434:022916] R.G., Dexter, MO I would appreciate your consideration of returning regulatory rights back to states for meat processing. I believe this would give Missouri an opportunity in job creation and local economic stability. ********** [174613:022616] G.K., Sarasota, FL Please sign on as a co-sponsor for HR 3187 and restore control to Florida. We need to rebuild our local food infrastructure and this is an important step. ********** [121930:010316] E.K., Petersburg, IL PLEASE help stop inhumane treatment of farm animals. It should be illegal to mistreat all animals. Giving them all those drugs and all the pollution should also be illegal! ********** [121737:010316] E.K., Petersburg, IL PLEASE help stop inhumane treatment of farm animals. It should be illegal to mistreat all animals. Giving them all those drugs and all the pollution should also be illegal! ********** [091626:010316] s.h., Durango, CO H.R. 3187, the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act, would give individual states the freedom to permit intra-state distribution of custom-slaughtered meat to individuals and places that directly serve consumers. As the system is now, farmers may very well have to haul their animals hundreds of miles away putting undue expense and stress on these animals. Any custom slaughterhouses that may be closer only allow for individual (the farmer itself) consumption. Prior to 1967, states could set regulations regarding meat processing. Since it has become consolidated into the hands of a few corporate meatpackers. The movement today is toward local production. Thank you for your consideration. ********** [073649:010316] P.R., Tallula, IL Now that COOL--Country Of Origin Labeling--has been repealed, it's more necessary than ever to have locally produced meat available for consumers. With the over-use of antibiotics in the factory farming industry and the emergence of superbugs on the meat, farm-raised without antibiotics, is what consumers want. **********