According to https://alec.org/article/wheres-the-beef-regulatory-barriers-to-entry-and-competition-in-meat-processing-joe-trotter/ (from mid-2023):
As a result of the laws and regulations governing who can process meat for commercial consumption, there are high barriers to entry for small businesses looking to increase their market capacity. In order to have a full-time inspector or multiple inspectors on site, producers are required to furnish rent-free office space, laundry service, and other amenities for FSIS representatives.
You are totally correct that the USDA meat program is a bottleneck and a corrupt one at that.
It should be gotten rid of entirely and states should regulate and inspect facilities within their borders. And any large animal vet should be allowed to animal inspections.
Thank you, President Obama.
Trump certainly understands the dilemna of the cattle ranchers. Dire straits, my friend. Time, patience and a stable market is the cure. I know consumers outnumber ranchers but c’mon.
That was my understanding as well from what I had read on the issue in the past.
Still I have a problem with how quick Trump is to attack persons or groups that usually support him the minute they have concerns with his decisions.