State MPI programs must operate with inspection standards “at least equal to” those required by federal programs, and enrolled plants can sell throughout the state. States with existing MPI programs are eligible to join the CIS program and must demonstrate their inspection is equal to federal standards. Under CIS, state-inspected plants can sell across state lines under the USDA mark of inspection. 

Trump Administration’s Recent Focus on Meat Inspection

Other directives related to inspection under the September 4 Executive Order include creating technical assistance, training programs, and web resources for small meat processors; modernizing meat inspection to “sharpen focus on core food safety,” boost processing efficiency and technology, and lower costs; and removing “unnecessary” Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection reporting requirements and “overly prescriptive” requirements … that do not advance essential food safety needs.” Additionally, a fact sheet about the Executive Order suggests that the action will address the issue of state-inspected small processors being unable to sell their products across state lines without “heavy regulatory approval.”

Also aligned with the Executive Order, USDA announced a “Ranchers First” initiative on August 31, which, among other actions, established a Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Guaranteed Loan Program and Regional Processor Continuity Effort, both focused on supporting regional processing.

The Stand-Up Program, Ranchers First, and the Executive Order follow controversial social media posts made by President Trump on August 28, in which he promised to cut regulatory “red tape” and enable “farmers and ranchers to PROCESS THEIR OWN FOOD.” These posts were criticized by cattlemen’s associations, which asserted that weakening federal meat inspection standards would jeopardize food safety and harm U.S. beef producers.