Plan simplifies rules and offers funding for small US meat plants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has introduced a new Small Processors Action Plan to support small and very small meat and poultry processing plants across the country. The initiative focuses on improving services, reducing regulatory challenges, and maintaining strong food safety standards.
“Today’s announcement marks another step toward rebuilding our domestic beef industry, the actions contained in the new Small Processors Action Plan modernize USDA’s approach to the people and small businesses who process American locally grown beef and protein,” said Secretary Rollins.
“We are removing overly burdensome red tape, improving service, and giving small plants the clarity and support these business need to operate safely, grow, and compete. By expanding local processing capabilities, we’re continuing to bolster our domestic producers, which are central to the President’s Make America Healthy Again agenda,” said Rollins.
In addition to the action plan, USDA is offering $60 million in funding through the fourth phase of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. This program is designed to expand processing capacity, improve competition, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
The Small Processors Action Plan highlights the important role played by small facilities in rural economies and local food systems. These plants make up a large portion of federally inspected establishments and are critical to maintaining a stable food supply.
Several improvements have been made to the plan. USDA will make it easier for plants to submit and track requests and appeals. Dedicated support systems will be introduced to help businesses navigate processes and receive timely responses. The agency will also expand assistance for plants that face challenges with technology and connectivity.
To make requirements easier to understand, USDA will update guidance materials in plain language and improve access to support resources. New tools will also be developed to simplify interactions with agency systems.
The plan also focuses on reducing unnecessary burdens while maintaining safety standards. Efforts include streamlining inspection-related processes, improving consistency through training, and working closely with the Small Business Administration.
Funding opportunities under the expansion program are open to for-profit and nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, and tribal entities. Eligible facilities must be located in the United States and primarily process cattle.
USDA stated that implementation will begin immediately, with continued feedback from small processors to ensure practical and effective results.
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