State Leaders Support USDA's Food Safety Enhancement Efforts

NASDA Praises USDA’s Focus on State Partnerships and Funding for Food Safety

The USDA’s announcement of its “Plan to Bolster Food Safety” has received strong support from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). CEO Ted McKinney recognized the importance of including state departments as critical partners in the initiative.

The USDA’s commitment to strengthening state meat and poultry inspection programs will improve consumer protection and provide valuable support to small- and medium-sized producers.

“NASDA commends Secretary Rollins for including states as key partners in USDA’s Plan to Bolster Food Safety. State meat and poultry inspection programs have been and continue to be essential to protecting consumers and supporting small and mid-sized producers and processors,” McKinney stated.

Currently, 29 states manage state-run meat and poultry inspection programs under USDA FSIS cooperative agreements. These programs help approximately 1,450 small processors by providing them with essential inspection services. These agreements are funded through the Talmadge-Aiken and Cooperative Interstate Shipping Programs, which ensure that local producers have access to the resources they need to meet food safety standards.

In addition to the support for state inspection programs, NASDA also praised the USDA’s increase in funding for food safety cooperative agreements. This investment helps ensure the resilience of the food supply chain by supporting state-run programs, allowing small and local producers to compete fairly in the marketplace.

By investing in state inspection programs and strengthening state partnerships, USDA’s plan will improve food safety, protect consumers, and create opportunities for small producers to thrive.

The collaboration between state and federal agencies will ensure that the U.S. food system remains strong, efficient, and capable of responding to future challenges.