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Livestock Board seeks funding to staff new state meat inspection program; committee adopts LFC recommendation and flags request
Summary
The New Mexico Livestock Board described plans to stand up an in‑state meat and poultry inspection program and asked for pay adjustments to retain inspectors; the Appropriations & Finance Committee adopted the LFC recommendation but flagged the agency’s requests for further review.
The New Mexico Livestock Board presented its FY26 budget request and described the start of a state meat and poultry inspection program created by recent legislation. Director Belinda Garland and LFC analyst Scott Sanchez told the committee the executive recommended substantially more general fund than the LFC for the agency overall; the difference centers on personnel increases and the new meat inspection program.
LFC analyst Scott Sanchez said the LFC would increase general fund appropriations by about $329,200 (6.5% over FY25), while the executive recommended roughly $2.7 million (about 53.4% over FY25). The LFC’s additions target equipment replacement, audit services and other costs; the executive added approximately $1.1 million in personnel costs the LFC did not support.
Garland described two divisions in the agency and emphasized the livestock inspection and animal disease response role. She said the agency houses the state veterinarian and can deploy field agents during outbreaks (citing an avian influenza response in the prior summer). Garland said requested recurring funds would be used to raise pay for inspectors so the agency can recruit and retain experienced staff; she said earlier placements left many field staff at low steps of the pay schedule.
On meat inspection, Garland said the in‑state meat inspection program was created in statute (effective after the recent legislative change) and will be supported initially with 100% general fund until federal matching eligibility and revenue generation begin. The executive recommends about $1.6 million for meat inspection in the executive plan; LFC held the program closer to base in its recommendation. The agency has hired a new director for the meat/poultry program (Eddie Behrens) and said it has completed a “side‑by‑side comparison” with federal FSIS standards and must address eight remaining components for full equivalency and certification.
Lawmakers asked about stolen/missing livestock and performance metrics (the recovery target listed in agency materials is 850 recoveries per year). LFC staff said the published performance targets reflect historical values and that new measure work is underway for the meat inspection program. Garland said the agency needs additional inspector pay to compete with private‑sector wages, and that many districts rely on a single inspector.
The committee adopted the LFC recommendation by voice vote; Vice Chair Sarnana moved adoption and Representative Chatfield seconded. The committee flagged the agency request for follow‑up, saying further staff review of the meat inspection implementation plan and pay considerations would be appropriate.
