WASHINGTON — At the end of July, USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and the State of Georgia finalized a Cooperative Interstate Shipment agreement, which allows for participating state-inspected meat processors to move their products across state lines.
Under the agreement, Georgia may inspect meat products produced in participating establishments for shipment throughout the United States, the USDA explained in a statement.
“By entering into this agreement, Georgia’s family-owned meat processors will now have the ability to access the same domestic marketplace as everyone else,” Rollins said. “Our ranchers have had to deal with a consolidated processing industry that has 4 companies, including 2 foreign owned, dominating 85% of the market and [this] action takes a step toward leveling the playing field. I’m grateful to have an amazing partner in Commissioner Harper who has helped make this a reality.”
“This announcement expands market opportunity for Georgia processors, while ensuring that rigorous food safety standards are in place,” Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears said. “Georgia’s participation in the CIS program will support the local and regional economy.”
Now there are 11 states participating in the program with this addition of Georgia, promoting the expansion of business opportunities for state-inspected meat establishments. The other states include Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin
The CIS program was established in the 2008 Farm Bill, launched in 2012, and allows participating establishments that comply with federal inspection requirements to ship their products in interstate commerce under the USDA mark of inspection, the USDA stated.
The CIS program is restricted to states with a State Meat and Poultry Inspection program. To be eligible, a State MPI program must demonstrate that the inspection it provides to participating state-inspected establishments is the same as the inspection FSIS provides at official federal establishments, USDA added.
For example, a state must have the legal authority to manage and implement requirements that are the same as the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and applicable regulations.
The state must also collect regulatory samples at the same frequency as federal inspectors and use the same analytical methods at laboratories meeting the same level of accreditation as FSIS laboratories, USDA noted.
FSIS provides ongoing oversight of the CIS program and reimburses states for 60 percent of the costs associated with providing this inspection service, USDA added. For more information about CIS, visit the FSIS website.
