Posted: 05.09.2011

A federal regulation that prevents most small meat producers from shipping their products across state lines is being relaxed, and Wisconsin officials are happy.

Meat producers, however, say they're not sure what to make of the new rules.

Donna Gilson is a spokeswoman with the state's agriculture department. She says the change will help Wisconsin because it has more small meat producers than any other state does. She also says Wisconsin makes bratwurst and other specialty products that will
sell well in other states.

But some meat producers say they're ambivalent. Scott Stettler owns Holmen Locker and Meat Market in La Crosse County. He says it might be nice to sell into Minnesota, but he
could also target adjacent Wisconsin counties.

Others worry about getting buried in federal bureaucracy.

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