New Mexico joins USDA State Meat and Poultry Inspection program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the New Mexico State Livestock Board have finalized an agreement to implement the State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) program in New Mexico. This move makes New Mexico the 31st state to join the program.

The initiative aims to expand local inspection capacity and enhance food safety oversight. It is specifically designed to increase market access for small and very small meat and poultry processors while maintaining national safety standards.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that the approval reflects a commitment to supporting local producers and increasing supply chain resilience. To support these state inspection programs, Congress allocated $67.6 million in fiscal year 2025, with the FY 2026 budget providing an additional $15 million to strengthen capacity and technical assistance.