WASHINGTON — A cooperative agreement signed by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the state of Oregon will permit state inspection of meat products produced for shipment in Oregon.

The state of Oregon joins 27 other states in the implementation of state inspection programs.

The cooperative agreement says that the state inspection program must develop, administer and enforce requirements “at least equal to” those under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA).

FSIS will provide up to 50% of the program’s operating funds as well as training.

With the new program, Oregon meat establishments performing interstate commerce may apply for federal or state inspection. However, inspections for intrastate commerce are performed solely through the state inspection program.

“Today’s announcement with Oregon will help strengthen our nation’s food system and help prevent supply chain bottlenecks,” said USDA’s Deputy Under Secretary Sandra Eskin. “This program is especially helpful to small meat and poultry processors in building their local and state marketplaces.”