Federal spending cuts could force the US meat industry to shut down for two weeks or longer!

Spending cuts set to take effect on March 1 may lead to the two week furlough of every US meat and poultry inspector.

 Without inspectors, the industry would be shut down.

 Meatpackers and processors are not allowed to ship beef, pork, lamb and poultry without an Agricultural Department inspection seal.

They also warned that the cuts could lead to effects on everyday life, while meatpackers said it would likely devastate the industry.

If our beloved Congress can't come to an agreement, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service will have to furlough its employees. This would lead to the meat industry losing close to $10 billion in production. Of course that means consumers would see a spike in meat prices, and a meat shortage would likely follow.

Every year, the USDA spends $1 billion on meat safety. There are 8,400 inspectors at 6,290 slaughter and processing plants nationwide.