Inspector General

Poultry growers, caught between strict rules and financial risk, lean heavily on government-backed loans

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Since 2010, poultry growers have taken out more than 3,000 loans backed by the SBA, totaling $2.9 billion, according to analysis of Small Business Administration loan data by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting. In March, the Inspector General released a report looking into the relationship between poultry integrators and growers. It said the rules big poultry companies placed on chicken farmers means they are not independent small businesses, calling into question their eligibility for Small Business Loans. Now, the SBA is considering revising

Government

USDA recovers nearly $84 million; boxed beef needs more inspection

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Food Safety and Inspection Service needs to improve its inspection of ground beef at post slaughter facilities such as grocery stores and restaurants, according to a recent federal report; hundreds have been arrested, indicted or convicted under USDA investigations over the course of six months.