PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act

This bill would allow Tribal personnel to conduct meat inspections at facilities that are at least 51% owned by Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations. Under the new provisions, Tribes could enter into contracts with the USDA to hire and train their own inspectors who would perform the same antemortem and postmortem inspections, sanitation checks, and recordkeeping currently done by federal inspectors. Meat products from these Tribal facilities would receive federal inspection labels and could be shipped in interstate commerce, though they could not be sold in foreign markets. The bill also requires Tribal inspectors to maintain insurance coverage and gives the USDA oversight authority to review, audit, and halt processing at facilities where violations occur.