WASHINGTON—U.S. President Donald Trump announced a measure
that will allow farmers and ranchers to directly process some of the food they
produce, with the goal of reducing costs and facilitating producers' access to
the market.
The provision seeks to give rural producers greater freedom
to process and market their own products, reducing their dependence on
intermediaries and large processing facilities.
According to the Trump administration, the measure is part
of a strategy to strengthen the agricultural and livestock sector, boost
domestic production, and offer greater economic opportunities to small and
medium-sized farms.
The change could also benefit consumers and rural
communities by promoting shorter supply chains and allowing a greater quantity
of products to be processed closer to where they are produced.
The initiative adds to the actions promoted by the U.S.
government to reduce regulations and facilitate the activities of farmers and
ranchers, although its implementation will be subject to the corresponding
health and food safety standards.
The Trump
administration argues that allowing producers greater control over the
processing of their food can help strengthen the rural economy and increase
competition within the U.S. food industry.