A missed opportunity for NH farms
Over the past several years, consumers have become much more conscious of their food choices. Unfortuntely, Representatives Stephanie Payeur and Eileen Kelly voted against a bill that would have provided broader market access to NH’s small farms and given consumers higher quality, locally sourced choices throughout the state.
The bill would have made it easier for NH beef farmers to get their product to market, enhancing the farm to table movement, and local sourcing of food. Every farmer in your district is a small farmer who has been completely abused by excessive regulation. With this vote, Kelly and Payeur sided with the four big meat processing companies that control 85% of the meat market and told their constituents that have small numbers of livestock to take a hike.
Since the wholesome meat act in 1967 was signed into law, the U.S. has lost 60% of its beef herds and 70% of its slaughterhouses. Furthermore, the origin of the meat you are buying at the store is unknown because the WTO prohibits labeling meat with its country of origin. The U.S. now imports nearly 20% of its beef. With only four USDA slaughterhouses in the state, small beef farmers have limited access to these facilities.
I do want to recognize that Rep. Tony Caplan did vote in support of this important bill. I am hopeful that next cycle whichever representatives are voted into Merrimack District 8 will make this same important vote as Caplan. Access to local, high quality food should be a yes vote from everyone in Concord.