USDA-FSIS and Arkansas Sign Cooperative Agreement for State Meat Inspection Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) and the state of Arkansas have finalized a cooperative agreement, under which the state inspection program may inspect meat products produced for shipment within the state. Under the cooperative agreement, the state inspection program must develop, administer, and enforce requirements that are “at least equal to” those imposed under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA).
USDA believes that the agreement with Arkansas will help strengthen the U.S. food system and prevent supply chain bottlenecks. The program also aims to assist small meat and poultry processors that are building their local and state marketplaces.