USDA launches initiative to bring more states into meat inspection
The new funding initiative is designed to help states overcome inspection start-up costs and expand processing opportunities for smaller meat processors.
USA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the Stand-Up Program, providing up to $50 million to help states establish or expand meat inspection programs in partnership with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The initiative follows President Donald Trump’s September 4 executive order aimed at expanding market access for American meat producers.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the funding is intended to address start-up costs that can prevent states from establishing their own inspection programs.
“Too many states have wanted a food inspection program of their own and could not get past the start-up costs,” Rollins said. “Now they can.”
She said the program would maintain existing food safety requirements.
Currently, 30 states operate State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs, while 11 participate in the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program, according to USDA.
Under the MPI system, state programs must operate at least equal to federal food safety standards, and inspected plants can sell products within their respective states.
States with MPI programs can also join CIS after demonstrating that their inspection systems are the same as federal standards. Eligible state-inspected plants can then sell products across state lines under the USDA mark of inspection.
Mindy Brashears, undersecretary at FSIS, said state inspection programs have an important role in the US food safety system.
“The United States has one of the strongest, most interconnected food safety systems in the world, and our state inspection programs play a big role,” Brashears said.
She added that state programs share FSIS’s mission of ensuring safe food for American families.
USDA said high start-up costs can prevent states from establishing inspection programs. The Stand-Up Program is intended to help small and mid-sized processors obtain inspection services.
The agency said the initiative will support partners and expand meat processing opportunities in rural communities.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
