Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) are calling on the USDA to create an additional pathway allowing meat and poultry products processed at state-inspected facilities to be sold across state lines.
The policy amendment, adopted during NASDA’s 2026 Winter Policy Conference, encourages USDA to modify an existing program or establish a new one within the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The proposal would allow products from state-inspected facilities to enter interstate commerce, provided those programs are deemed “at least equal to” federal inspection standards.
Currently, facilities operating under state inspection programs that meet the “at least equal to” benchmark are held to the same food safety standards as federally inspected plants. However, their products are limited to sales within state borders. NASDA leaders argue that the restriction prevents many small- and medium-sized processors from accessing broader markets, even though they already meet the same safety requirements as their federally inspected counterparts.
NASDA CEO Ted McKinney emphasized the role state agriculture departments play in ensuring food safety and supporting local processors.
“One of state agriculture departments’ most critical roles is safeguarding the nation’s food supply, detecting and preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses and supporting small and medium-sized producers,” McKinney said. “With our ability to conduct inspections on behalf of the federal government, saving federal resources, paired with our close relationships with local processors, we have a unique opportunity to efficiently help small-medium sized processors expand their markets regionally.”
While some state-inspected plants have considered transitioning to full federal inspection to gain interstate access, NASDA noted that many smaller facilities struggle to secure federal licensure. Limited availability of federal inspectors can make it difficult to schedule inspections at times that align with plant operations, creating logistical and financial hurdles.
Under the proposed approach, qualifying state-inspected facilities could access regional and national markets without duplicative oversight, provided their inspection systems continue to meet USDA’s equivalency requirements.
“Allowing meat and poultry products from state-inspected meat processors to be sold in interstate commerce is a win-win for everyone,” McKinney said. “Providing more market opportunities for small businesses, more options for consumers and saves federal resources.”
NASDA members contend that expanding interstate access would strengthen regional food systems, support small processors and enhance consumer choice while maintaining rigorous food safety standards already in place at the state level. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
