Ohio has announced its plans to participate in USDA's Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, under which, Ohio's small, state-inspected meat processors will be able to ship their products across state lines.
The cooperative interstate shipment program is expected to expand economic opportunities for America's small meat and poultry processors, strengthen state and local economies, and increase consumer access to safe, locally-produced food.
Agriculture deputy secretary Kathleen Merrigan said the agreement allows a small processor in Ohio to sell products to neighbors in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, and beyond," Merrigan added.
"Expanding market opportunities for meat from local processors makes these small businesses more viable, while also ensuring that participating establishments have robust food safety systems in place to produce safe food for consumers," Merrigan added.
Under the cooperative agreement, small, state-inspected businesses with 25 or fewer employees will be allowed to sell meat products across state lines. Meat products produced in selected establishments will be subject to the same regulatory sampling programs as those established in the Federal inspection program.
USDA noted that this move is a part of its ongoing focus on strengthening the critical connection between farmers and consumers and supporting local and regional food systems.
