WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new $50 million funding program on Wednesday aimed at helping states establish or expand their own meat inspection programs, a move intended to boost local processing options for livestock producers across Ohio and the nation.
The “Stand-Up Program” will be administered by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). It carries out a September 4 executive order aimed at expanding market access for domestic livestock producers and strengthening the supply chain for small and mid-size agricultural operations.
According to federal officials, high initial start-up costs have historically prevented many states from launching their own inspection infrastructure. The new funding seeks to eliminate that barrier, allowing more small-scale processors to achieve compliance and offering local ranchers more options to process livestock closer to home.
“Too many states have wanted a food inspection program of their own and could not get past the start-up costs. Now they can,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Food safety standards will not move, and more state programs mean more local processing, more competition for the rancher’s cattle, and more American meat on American tables.”
Currently, 30 states—including Ohio—operate State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs. These state-level programs are required to maintain safety standards that are “at least equal to” federal requirements, allowing inspected facilities to sell meat products statewide.
Additionally, 11 states—including Ohio and neighboring Indiana—participate in the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program. The CIS framework allows state-inspected small and very small processing plants to sell their products across state lines under a official USDA mark of inspection, provided their standards are certified as the “same as” federal inspection.
Federal officials emphasize that expanding state-level participation helps cut regulatory burdens on small processors while building additional regional supply capacity.
“When we invest in our state partners, we’re not just adding processing capacity in rural America,” said Under Secretary Dr. Mindy Brashears. “We’re doing it in a way that is practical, backed by science and data, and built to protect public health.”
