The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced March 21 it will be expanding the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program for meat processors located in Montana.
The USDA Food Safety Inspection Services and the state of Montana finalized an agreement that will allow inspected meat and poultry to ship across state lines, stimulating local economy and providing larger markets to meat producers in Montana. Under the agreement, Montana can inspect products produced in specified establishments in preparation for shipping around the country.
“This announcement is part of USDA’s commitment to build more and better markets, a more resilient supply chain and better food system, and to increase competition in agricultural markets across America,” said Sandra Eskin, USDA deputy under secretary for food safety, according to the March 21 news release.
According to the news release, the latest agreement is a continuation of an arrangement that took place under a program launched in 2012. In total, 10 states participate in this program. With the program in place, state-inspected meat exporting has expanded rapidly, helping meat producers in various states.
Only states that have established a Meat and Poultry Inspection program are eligible for products to be shipped out of state, the release reported. The state inspection programs must meet a number of regulations and rules to demonstrate the inspection is of a high standard.
