Trump aims to empower farmers to process their own meat, stirring industry backlash

President Trump pledged to authorize measures allowing farmers and ranchers to process their own meat to boost competition against the four big packers, a move drawing pushback from industry groups worried about food safety and regulatory changes. The administration cites the PRIME Act and plans to slash red tape to help small processors, while USDA says it will announce steps to support in-state and cross-state sales as farmers face high costs from tariffs, drought, and market pressures.