HIGH STEAKS
Meat Industry May Shut Down for Two Weeks If Sequester Happens
Thousands of meat inspectors would be furloughed
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It turns out the game of budget chicken in Washington could result in the meat industry temporarily shutting down. If the $85 billion sequester cuts are allowed to kick in on March 1, it could mean all meat and poultry inspectors would be furloughed for two weeks.
Without their seal of approval, meatpackers and processors can't ship beef, pork, lamb and poultry meat. An estimated $10 billion in production would be lost during a two-week furlough and consumers could see higher prices and empty shelves, as a result, Reuters reports.
Obama and Congress seem far apart on reaching a deficit reduction deal to avoid the sequester. Obama is calling for "a balanced" approach to trimming the deficit, which means a mix of tax revenue and spending cuts. But GOP leadership is demanding a cuts only approach.
Via Reuters
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