To supply federal assistance to missouri 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…

The Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement to the Missouri Department of Agriculture for $3.734 million on October 1, 2025, under the Cooperative Agreements with States for Intrastate Meat and Poultry Inspection program (CFDA 10.475).

The funding supports Missouri's operation of a state meat and poultry inspection program. The Missouri Department of Agriculture conducts ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of intrastate meat and poultry processing under federal "at least equal to" standards, assuring consumers an adequate supply of safe, wholesome, and properly labeled meat and poultry products. The cooperative agreement model allows the state to maintain control and flexibility while meeting federal standards, enabling local meat and poultry processors to operate without requiring federal inspection while still ensuring food safety compliance.

The award covers the period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, with place of performance in Missouri. The assistance type is a Cooperative Agreement. States maintaining the "at least equal to" standard are invited to renew annually, pending Secretary approval. Every three years, FSIS performs an audit of the state cooperator to validate compliance with the "at least equal to" determinations.

To supply federal assistance to missouri 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.