Arkansas meat inspection program earns federal approval

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, state legislators, agriculture trade leaders, and the Arkansas Division of Agriculture introduced Oct. 4 approval of the state meat inspection program, finalized in a cooperative settlement with the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s (USDA) Meals Security and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The state meat inspection program will permit the division to examine meat merchandise for cargo inside Arkansas.

“In 2020, the meals provide chain was disrupted, and Arkansas’ meat manufacturing was severely restricted. The creation of the Arkansas Meat and Poultry Processing grant and the State Meat Inspection Program will present a much-needed enhance to our processing capability,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson mentioned.

Arkansas joins 28 states collaborating in FSIS’s State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) applications. These applications permit state inspectors to make sure program enforcement and regulatory compliance in small institutions working inside the state. The MPI applications should develop, administer, and implement necessities “no less than equal to” these set forth within the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA).

“The Arkansas Starvation Reduction Alliance is thrilled to see the completion of this laws,” mentioned Michelle Shope, Meals Sourcing & Logistics Director, Arkansas Starvation Reduction Alliance. “Proteins are one of many hardest meals for households to afford and are in excessive demand at meals pantries. Growing licensed processors in our state helps us scale back our transportation prices and permits environment friendly distribution by means of our member meals banks.”

The necessity for added meat processing capability was highlighted by meals provide chain disruptions attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. In 2020, the Arkansas Division of Agriculture labored with trade stakeholders to obtain and distribute $10.4 million in funding from the Coronavirus Help, Reduction, and Financial Safety (CARES) Act by means of a Meat and Poultry Processing Grant Program. Subsequently, the Arkansas legislature handed Act 418 through the 2021 legislative session to create a state meat inspection program inside the Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

“The Arkansas State Meat Inspection program is the conclusion of a number of years of onerous work by Arkansas cattle producers,” mentioned Arkansas Cattlemen’s Affiliation (ACA) President Phillip DeSalvo. “This program provides Arkansas cattle producers the means to make sure full management of their product from pasture to plate. The power for producers to market Arkansas beef to Arkansas shoppers is a crucial income supply for some producers. In a time of constant financial instability, this program shall be useful to all Arkansans. The ACA wish to thank Governor Hutchinson for his assist of this program in addition to Consultant Deann Vaught and Senator Ricky Hill for his or her unwavering assist and dedication in making this a actuality.”

Since December 2020, Arkansas’ in-state processing capability has grown by greater than 5 million kilos per yr. The processing capability is anticipated to proceed to develop beneath the brand new state meat inspection program as a consequence of elevated advertising and marketing and financial alternatives for native producers.

“The state meat inspection program exists to extend the supply of locally-sourced meat and meat merchandise to Arkansans and be sure that all merchandise are secure and healthful,” mentioned Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.