date:Mar 06, 2013
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was consideringfurloughing inspectors for 15 days as part of automatic federalbudget cuts that took effect March 1, the National ChickenCouncil said in a Feb. 11 letter with other trade groups. Meat,poultry and egg processors are prohibited from operating withoutthe presence of federal inspectors, which may halt production atsome plants. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said Feb. 5 ina letter to Senator Barbara Mikulski, chair of the appropriationscom