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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels is backing away from a plan to cut in half the budget for state inspections of
meat processors after complaints that it would drive some plants out of business and hurt small farmers.
The Indiana
State Board of Animal Health now says its budget will be cut by less than 50 percent. It won’t provide more details until
the governor’s office can brief lawmakers.
Animal Health Board Chief of Staff Doug Metcalf says the budget cut
still will result in laying off some state inspectors but not as many once feared.
The board inspects about 130
smaller meat processors that employ more than 1,500 workers. They processed about 80,000 head of beef, hogs, lambs and goats
last year valued at more than $35 million.
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