Georgia Joins USDA Program Expanding Interstate Meat Sales

Georgia has become the 11th state to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program, allowing eligible state-inspected meat processors to ship products across state lines.

USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and the State of Georgia finalized the agreement July 27. Under the program, Georgia may inspect meat products produced at participating establishments for shipment throughout the United States.

For farmers, ranchers and local meat processors, the agreement creates new opportunities to reach customers beyond Georgia while maintaining federal food safety standards.

Eligible state-inspected meat processors in Georgia can now participate in the CIS program, giving qualifying businesses access to interstate markets under the USDA mark of inspection.

The program is intended to expand business opportunities for state-inspected meat establishments while requiring them to meet the same inspection standards as federally inspected facilities.

“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,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “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 today’s action takes a step toward leveling the playing field. In the Trump Administration we will always put our American farmers and ranchers first by working with our state partners to deliver results. I’m grateful to have an amazing partner in Commissioner Harper who has helped make this a reality.”

Program Requires Federal-Equivalent Inspections

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said participating state inspection programs must provide oversight equivalent to federal inspections.

“This announcement expands market opportunity for Georgia’s processors, while ensuring that rigorous food safety standards are in place. Georgia’s participation in the CIS program will support the local and regional economy.” said Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears.

To qualify, a state's meat and poultry inspection program must demonstrate that its inspections are equivalent to those conducted by FSIS. States must have the legal authority to enforce requirements consistent with the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act and applicable federal regulations.

Participating states also must collect regulatory samples at the same frequency as federal inspectors and use the same analytical methods at laboratories that meet the same accreditation standards as FSIS laboratories.

FSIS continues to oversee the CIS program and reimburses participating states for 60% of the costs associated with providing inspection services.

Eleven States Now Participate

The Cooperative Interstate Shipment program was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill and launched in 2012.

With Georgia's addition, the participating states are Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin.

Under the program, qualifying state-inspected meat establishments that meet federal inspection requirements may ship their products in interstate commerce under the USDA mark of inspection.