PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act

Summary

Creates a new Tribal meat inspection program that allows Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to enter self-determination contracts with USDA to hire, train, and operate Federal-equivalent meat inspections at majority tribal-owned facilities. Tribal-inspected products may use a Federal inspection label and be shipped in interstate commerce; the program includes USDA oversight, reporting requirements, limits on foreign sales, FTCA coverage for inspectors, insurance and limited sovereign-immunity waiver terms, and authorization of appropriations to support the program.

• Authorizes self-determination contracts allowing Tribes to run Federal-equivalent meat inspection programs at majority tribal-owned facilities.
• Tribal inspectors are trained to FSIS standards and, while inspecting, are treated as Federal employees under the FTCA.
• Products inspected under Tribal contracts may carry a Federal inspection label and be sold in interstate commerce but not foreign commerce.
• USDA retains oversight authority (recalls, review, audits); Tribes have on-site enforcement powers for covered activities.
• Contracts require insurance with a narrowly limited sovereign-immunity waiver and forbid certain liability limits from being waived.
• Funding is authorized as "such sums as necessary" but activities are limited to funds specifically appropriated in advance.
• Tribes must annually certify compliance with Federal inspection requirements and independence of inspectors from supplier ownership.
• Tribal operators become eligible for certain USDA rural development loans and grants under existing law.
• Ritual slaughter consistent with existing statutory protections is explicitly not prohibited.
• Program start of contracts is tied to appropriations, with a requirement to begin contracts no later than two years after enactment once funds are available.