(NAFB) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says a House Agriculture Subcommittee hearing Wednesday echoed the organization’s longstanding call to expand processing capacity.

The Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on the State of the Beef Supply Chain, examined shocks in the supply chain.

Subcommittee Chairman Jim Costa says the shocks have “impacted millions of people along the entire supply chain.”

Members of the committee also noted the need for greater transparency in cattle markets to create conditions that support both a reliable, affordable supply of U.S. beef.

NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane states, “The continued momentum we are seeing on expanding processing capacity, both on Capitol Hill and at USDA, is a positive sign.”

Cattle industry concerns have seen increased attention recently from both sides of the aisle as NCBA has advocated for “commonsense solutions” that address the most urgent challenges facing producers, including legislation to help small and independent processors expand capacity.