Tuberville Introduces Bill to Support Livestock Producers

November 5, 2025 - WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) in introducing the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act, legislation that would give livestock and poultry producers greater market access nationwide.

The DIRECT Act would create a narrow exemption to allow small producers and butchers greater flexibility for interstate sales without compromising food safety or jeopardizing market access in international trade.

"Ever since the Biden Administration, Alabama's farmers and livestock producers have been struggling to survive. Cutting red tape and providing our cattle and livestock producers with additional avenues to sell their Made in the US products is a win," said Sen. Tuberville. "We must ensure we are putting American farmers and livestock producers first, not last. I'm proud to join Senator Marshall in this legislation to support our family farms, small meat producers, and provide consumers easy access to all-American meat."

"The last thing our livestock producers need is more red tape," said Sen. Marshall. "Like many states, Kansas has strong meat inspection standards that already meet federal requirements. By creating a simple exemption, the DIRECT Act uplifts our ranchers by empowering them to sell their high-quality beef in innovative ways and across state lines."

"From day one, Coach Tuberville has brought common sense to Washington, D.C. The DIRECT Act expands consumer choice and supports Alabama cattle producers while maintaining food safety. I commend Coach for co-sponsoring this legislation which provides more flexibility for interstate meat and poultry sales," said Rick Pate, Commissioner of Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.

"This bill helps farmers and consumers alike. The legislation creates new marketing opportunities for farmers while allowing consumers to buy direct from the farm with the added convenience of home delivery. We appreciate Coach Tuberville's support of this bill and his continued support of farmers in Alabama and across the country," said Jimmy Parnell, President of the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA).

"Streamlining accessibility of local beef for consumers while maintaining the safety of products is an innovative way to meet the continued demand of beef. We appreciate Coach's support of the DIRECT Act which creates more opportunities for small farms and meat processors," said Erin Beasley, Executive Vice President of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association.

Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, Alabama Farmers Federation, and the Alabama Cattlemen's Association endorsed this legislation.

Read full text of the legislation here.

https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/BILLS-119s3099is.pdf

BACKGROUND:

Many states, including Alabama, have State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs approved as at least equivalent to the standards established under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). These programs are overseen through audits by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to ensure there are no food safety concerns. State inspection is often less expensive and preferable to very small processors. MPI programs require food safety plans (HACCP) and, similar to federally inspected processors, have inspectors on-site.

Specifically, the DIRECT Act would:

Amend the retail exemption under the FMIA and PPIA to allow processors, butchers, or other retailers to sell normal retail quantities (300 lbs. of beef, 100 lbs. of pork, 27.5 lbs. of lamb) of MPI State Inspected Meat online to consumers across state lines.

Allow new direct-to-consumer options for producers, processors, and small meat markets.

Allows retail sales to consumers, minimizing the risk for further processing in export, keeping our equivalency agreements with trading partners intact.

Allow states operating under the CIS system to ship and label as they are currently.

Would prohibit the export of the MPI product.

Would not allow custom exempt processors to ship meat in interstate commerce.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.