This session will offer a closer look at the federal policy landscape and the ways the Meat Institute is engaging with decision‑makers in Washington on shared priorities for the meat industry. The presentation will highlight the major currents shaping today’s debates—from health and nutrition policy, including efforts around ultra‑processed food, to trade policy and USMCA, as well as newly introduced legislation aimed at addressing labor availability challenges. Attendees will gain a clearer sense of how federal priorities for the meat industry interact with state‑level approaches, particularly in California, Oregon, and Washington, where evolving policy can influence the direction and pace of national action. 

California's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law is reshaping packaging requirements for food manufacturers. This session will provide an overview of the state's EPR framework, what it means for meat and poultry companies, and the latest developments surrounding implementation. Attendees will also learn about the Coalition for Protein Packaging's ongoing efforts to petition policymakers for exemptions or implementation delays for raw protein packaging and what those efforts could mean for the industry. 

Practical breakdown of reporting requirements, compliance timelines, and what's coming next