To supply federal assistance to north dakota to operate a meat and poultry inspection program in order to assure the consumer an adequate supply of safe, wholesome, and properly labeled meat and…

The Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement valued at $600,000 to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture on October 1, 2025, under CFDA 10.477 (Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection) to operate a state meat and poultry inspection program. The award runs through September 30, 2026, with performance in North Dakota.

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture conducts ante-mortem and post-mortem facility inspections, product safety verification, and labeling compliance enforcement at meat and poultry plants to ensure products entering commerce are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled under federal standards. The program protects public health by enforcing requirements under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, and Humane Slaughter Act.

Eligibility for this cooperative agreement requires that the state applicant maintain an "at least equal to" inspection program under CFDA 10.475. FSIS conducts an audit every three years to validate that state standards remain equivalent to federal requirements. Cooperators remain subject to annual renewal pending Secretarial approval, provided they maintain required sanitation and operating standards for plant facilities and equipment. Complete accounting records are available to the Comptroller General and authorized USDA representatives.

To supply federal assistance to north dakota to operate a meat and poultry inspection program in order to assure the consumer an adequate supply of safe, wholesome, and properly labeled meat and poultry products.