National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) members passed an action item at its 2024 Winter Policy Conference to emphasize the need to resume full federal cost-share for state meat and poultry inspection programs.
NASDA members urge Congress to require USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service to provide at least a 50% funding match to state departments of agriculture to ensure the viability of state meat and poultry inspection programs.
In addition, they ask for an increase in federal appropriations to the agency to fund the state programs.
“State meat inspection programs provide services necessary for meat processors in many states,” NASDA President and Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur said. “Recent funding shortfalls are detrimental to the resilience of state programs and must be immediately addressed.”
