FSIS Final Rule Establishes Cooperative Meat & Poultry Inspection Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has published a final rule establishing a new voluntary cooperative program that will permit state-inspected establishments with fewer than 25 employees “to ship meat and poultry products in interstate commerce.” Under the program, which will be administered by state inspectors, selected establishments must comply with all standards under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act to receive the official USDA mark of inspection necessary for interstate commerce.

Effective July 1, 2011, the final rule considers approximately 90 separate
comments submitted in response to the September 2009 proposed version.
“Allowing these state-inspected establishments to ship their products across
state lines has the potential to expand rural development and jobs, increase
local tax bases, strengthen rural communities, and ensure that food is safe
for consumers,” said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza in an April 19, 2011, press
release. See Federal Register, May 2, 2011.