WASHINGTON – Furloughs of U.S. meat inspectors that could disrupt meat delivery throughout the country will probably be concentrated in July through September, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers on Tuesday.
Vilsack said furloughs of meat inspectors required under sequestration, or automatic budget cuts that took effect this month, will disrupt the meat industry. He said USDA will send furlough notices to meat inspectors this week, but it will be several months before they will occur because of the extensive preparations needed.
The furloughs, which could lead to spotty shutdowns of meat plants and meat shortages, would be one of the most visible effects of sequestration, he said. By law, processors cannot ship meat without the USDA inspection seal.
"We will do everything we can to minimize disruptions," Vilsack said at a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee. "It will impact inspections."
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Reuters