The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the state of Oregon have entered into a collaborative agreement that allows the state inspection program to inspect meat products manufactured for shipment within the state.
According to the cooperation agreement, the state inspection must develop, manage and enforce requirements “at least equal” to those of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA).
“Today’s announcement with Oregon will help strengthen our nation’s food system and avoid supply chain shortages,” said USDA Assistant Undersecretary Sandra Eskin. “This program will benefit small meat and poultry processors as they build their local and state marketplaces.”
With Oregon, 28 states now have state inspection programs. In states with inspection programs, facilities have the option of applying for federal or state inspection, but products manufactured under state inspection are restricted to domestic trade. The US Department of Agriculture’s FSIS provides up to 50 percent of the state’s operating resources, as well as training and other support.
States are important FSIS partners and formal working relationships are reflected in cooperative agreements between FSIS and concerned government agencies. State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs are an integral part of the national food safety system, with approximately 1,900 small and micro-small meat and poultry facilities inspected under State MPI programs. FSIS provides guidance to state MPI programs under these agreements, reviews each state MPI program and its requirements and activities at least annually, and allocates approximately $60 million annually in support of currently running state MPI programs.
In addition to Oregon, FSIS has state inspection agreements with Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
For more information on state inspection programs, visit https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/state-inspection-programs
The USDA is currently transforming the American food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and income streams for farmers and producers who adopt climate-friendly food and forestry practices, make historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and advocate for justice across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. Visit www.usda.gov for more information.
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