Budget deficits are forcing Indiana to make dramatic cutbacks to its food inspection department. State officials are likely to cut meatpacking industry inspections first, leading to shorter inspections, fewer inspectors and a loss of federal government matching funds. The cuts are set to begin July 1.
From the Associated Press:
It’s not clear how many of the state’s 52 inspectors will be let go, but meatpackers say any layoffs will prevent them from growing to meet demand for locally raised meat. And, if state inspectors are scarce or unavailable, small meatpackers who can’t afford to upgrade for federal inspections could cut back their operations or go under.
Their fears highlight a dilemma lawmakers in many states face as tax revenues decline and they struggle to balance budgets: How deeply do they cut programs that are essential to growing segments of their economies and could generate new tax revenues?
Other states facing budget cuts, including Iowa, are also trying to trim from their meat inspection programs, the AP reports. to Read the AP’s full story here.
