New meat, poultry safety legislation

WASHINGTON - Bi-partisan legislation has been introduced in both houses of Congress to tighten consumer protection from deadly bacteria in meat and poultry.

The legislation would give the U.S. Department of Agriculture the authority to shut down producers in serious violation of healthy and safety standards.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) says lawsuits by producers have blocked USDA's ability to enforce those standards.

Meanwhile, a new report shows salmonealla in raw meat and at poultry plants declined last year, with salmonella in broilers dropping to 11.5 percent from 11.9.