MADISON, Wisc. – Specialty meat processors in Wisconsin may be allowed to sell product beyond state lines, according to a Jan. 12 Associated Press report.

Gov. Scott Walker authorized the state's agriculture agency to rewrite meat inspection rules and allow specialty meat plants to sell products outside Wisconsin for the first time. Currently, only meat from USDA inspected plants can be sold across state lines. Changing the state rules will incorporate new federal regulations that would allow meat from state-inspected plants to be sold across the state line.

The final rule changes are subject to a public hearing and final approval from the state Legislature. Wisconsin has roughly 275 state-inspected meat plants and 145 federally-inspected plants, according to the AP.