SALEM, ORE. — The Oregon legislature recently allocated $9 million to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to support the state’s meat inspection program and aid companies planning to sell and process meat products.

“I am pleased that we were able to secure $9 million to support the state’s Meat Inspection Program for the next two years,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “This funding adds critical capacity for local certified meat processing to aid businesses and farm owners across Oregon. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this allocation will have for Oregon’s local economy.”

During the last year, Oregon pushed to build up its meat production with its agreement of state inspection with the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). 

“Developing and implementing a state meat inspection program has been on my bucket list since the mid-80s,” said Lauren Henderson, acting director of the ODA. “Over the years, Oregon’s meat producers have been telling us about the few in-state options for processing, and the pandemic made it so much worse. Ranchers were facing 18-month wait times to process their livestock; we knew that was unacceptable. The industry and the legislature stepped up and helped us create a program that can grow with the needs of Oregon’s meat processors.”

Existing USDA-inspected facilities in Oregon can now choose to stay under federal inspection or enroll in Oregon’s program if it benefits the business. The state meat inspection program is “at least equal to” the FSIS standards, according to the ODA.

Information on the state meat inspection grant program is still being developed and the ODA will announce details on eligibility and the application process in the near future.