I am here today in support of HB 1417, which establishes a loan program and gives the Industrial Commission authority to issue revenue bonds for the establishment of meatpacking plants in North Dakota.
Animal agriculture is a very important part of North Dakota s agricultural economy.
According to the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, our current cattle inventory sits at 1.98 million head. Our livestock industry has great potential to increase the value of its existing product. I believe that we need to expand animal agriculture in this state and work to capitalize on new opportunities through identity preservation, feeding and finishing, and slaughter. This legislation provides for one of the tools needed to move in this direction. This bill provides the opportunity to further develop livestock value-added opportunities in North Dakota.