Cooperative Programs

United States Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Washington, DC 20250-3700

Cooperative State MPI Programs

State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) Programs are an integral part of the nation's food safety system. About 2,100 meat and poultry establishments, are inspected under State MPI programs. All of these establishments are small or very small. State MPI programs are characterized as providing more personalized guidance to establishments in developing their food safety oriented operations. FSIS provides approximately $43 million dollars annually to support the 27 State MPI programs currently operating.

State MPI programs operate under a cooperative agreement with FSIS. Under the agreement, a State’s program must enforce requirements "at least equal to" those imposed under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Establishments have the option to apply for Federal or State inspection. However, product produced under State inspection is limited to intrastate commerce. FSIS provides up to 50% of the State’s operating funds, as well as training and other assistance. FSIS provides guidance to state MPI programs under these agreements.

FSIS is reassessing the criteria by which it evaluates state MPI programs in light of evolving food safety initiatives, including the need to better coordinate MPI activities with those of other food safety agencies. The goal is to update the cooperative state MPI program criteria and procedures and corresponding FSIS activities.

	FSLGRS Cooperative Inspection Program Functions
	Comprehensive Reviews of State MPI Programs
	States with Meat and/or Poultry Inspection Programs Lists the 27 State MPI Programs currently operating
	Designated States Lists the 26 states without poultry inspection programs and the 23 states without meat inspection programs. FSIS must provide for the inspection in the designated category regardless of whether the product is shipped in interstate commerce.
	State Officials - Cooperative Meat and Poultry Inspection Program