Trump orders USDA to expand interstate meat sales, modernize meat inspection
The order directs USDA to streamline state-federal inspection programs, support smaller processors, expand processing capacity and strengthen enforcement of meat industry rules.
USA – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand interstate market access for meat producers and modernize federal meat inspection requirements while maintaining food safety.
The Sept. 4 order provides details on plans to expand processing opportunities, following Trump’s Aug. 28 call for “the right to process their own food.”
Under the order, USDA must expand opportunities for interstate meat shipments by streamlining participation in the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) Program and Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program.
USDA must establish technical assistance and training programs for small and very small processors and create a resource detailing local slaughter and processing availability, including federally inspected establishments facilitating interstate shipments.
The executive order calls for modernization of meat inspection to focus on “core food safety,” while improving processing efficiency and technology and lowering costs for ranchers and consumers.
USDA is further directed to remove “unnecessary” Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection reporting requirements and requirements the administration considers overly prescriptive and unrelated to essential food safety needs. It does not specify which FSIS requirements could be changed.
Within 60 days, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins must submit a report assessing participation in state-federal cooperative inspection programs and identifying barriers to greater interstate market access for state-inspected meat, as well as potential actions to address them.
A separate report, also due within 60 days, must identify federal statutory provisions and trade considerations that restrict or prohibit state-inspected or custom-exempt meat products from entering interstate commerce.
Current federal rules state that meat processed under a custom exemption is intended for the personal use of the animal’s owner and must be marked “Not for Sale.” The order does not authorize sales of custom-exempt meat across state lines but directs USDA to identify laws restricting such sales.
The White House said the administration aims to expand market access for U.S. ranchers while maintaining food safety protections.
The order also directs USDA to establish a Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) guaranteed loan program for regional beef processors. The loans are intended to help processors remain operational, expand facilities and diversify the animal proteins they process.
The program builds on USDA’s existing SPUR initiative, which provides up to $500 million in temporary support to qualifying small and mid-sized beef slaughter facilities. Participants must be federally inspected.
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