A–PLUS Act

# A-PLUS Act Summary **What the bill does:** The A-PLUS Act would allow smaller meat processing companies (packers) to own, finance, or help manage livestock sales agencies that sell animals on commission. Currently, federal regulations restrict this type of business relationship. The bill only applies to smaller packers—those processing fewer than 2,000 cattle or sheep per day (or 700,000 per year) and fewer than 10,000 hogs per day (or 3 million per year).

The bill also requires livestock sales agencies to publicly disclose any financial ties or ownership stakes they have with meat packers. **Who it affects:** Small to mid-sized meat processing companies would have more flexibility in their business operations. Farmers and ranchers who sell livestock through commission-based sales agencies could be affected, since the rules governing who controls those agencies would change. Large industrial meat packers would likely not be eligible for these new allowances due to the size limits in the bill. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Mark Alford (R-MO) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.