08/29/2026
One week ago, cattle producers united to oppose a vague policy announcement on imported beef. Today, President Trump issued another social media post announcing that soon farmers and ranchers will have a right to “process their own food.” One action undercut American producers. The next could undermine consumer confidence.
Farmers and ranchers may already process livestock for their own use. What producers cannot do is sell uninspected meat into commercial markets. That distinction protects consumers and preserves confidence in American beef. SDCA supports more inspected small and regional processors, more competition, and more opportunities for producers. We do not support weakening food safety standards.
Food safety is NOT red tape. Consumer confidence is NOT optional.
America established federal meat inspection more than a century ago because unsafe and unsanitary processing conditions threatened public health and trust. Following serious E. coli outbreaks in the 1990s, government and industry strengthened pathogen prevention and food safety controls. Those safeguards have been essential to rebuilding consumer confidence and protecting demand for American beef. Weakening them risks both public health and the market every cattle producer depends on.
President Trump’s latest announcement is not a serious plan to strengthen America’s beef supply chain. It is a distraction from an import policy the cattle industry overwhelmingly rejected.
SDCA calls on the administration to withdraw the additional import allocation, preserve uniform inspection standards, and work with the industry on real solutions.
We urge producers to contact South Dakota’s congressional delegation. Tell them to protect meat inspection standards and push back on the additional import allocation.
Senate Majority Leader, John Thune: (202) 224-2321
Senator Mike Rounds: (202) 224-5842
Representative Dusty Johnson: (202) 225-2801
