The Metropolitan King County Council has voiced its support for an industry that is part of the agricultural heritage of the region.

The council adopted a motion at its Monday, Jan 12. meeting that supports the Puget Sound Meat Producers Cooperative Mobile Meat Processing Unit.

“Local farmers are a valuable asset to our region, and we must support projects that allow them to continue their operations here in King County,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “Without a local USDA-inspected facility, these agricultural producers must transport livestock a great distance for processing.”

Currently, the closest USDA facilities for small farmers are located in Eastern Washington and Oregon. The Meat Producers Cooperative Mobile Meat Processing Unit is a 45-foot tractor/trailer designed to meet USDA specifications. It travels to local farms and ranches to process the animals, then transports carcasses to a partner cut-and-wrap facility.