Recently, Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins launched the Small Processors Action Plan, a new set of actions to better support small and very small meat and poultry processing plants, improve customer service, and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining strong food safety protections for consumers. Additionally, Secretary Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the fourth round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to expand American meat and poultry processing.
“President Trump is delivering on his promise to Oklahoma ranchers to rebuild America’s beef industry,” said USDA Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Zachary Swartz. “With this announcement by Secretary Rollins to remove unnecessary red tape and provide financial support from USDA, the Trump Administration is providing the tools our processors need to grow opportunities for Oklahoma ranchers and bolster the Product of USA label that puts high-quality and healthy protein on the tables of American families.”
Both the Small Processors Action Plan and the additional $60 million in funding for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program build on USDA’s Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry.
Small Processors Action Plan:
Small and very small plants make up the majority of federally inspected establishments and play a critical role in local economies, rural communities, and the resilience of the nation’s food supply. These actions being announced by USDA are designed to make it easier for these businesses to interact with the agency, get timely answers, and resolve issues, without weakening inspection or food safety standards.
Improving customer service and responsiveness
· Creating clearer, easier ways for small plants to submit and track appeals and requests.
· Establishing dedicated support to help small businesses navigate processes and get timely responses.
· Expanding access to assistance for plants with limited technology or connectivity.
Making requirements clearer and easier to navigate
· Updating and expanding plain-language guidance by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), tailored to small and very small plants.
· Improving visibility of available support, escalation paths, and points of contact.
· Launching simpler tools to help plants engage with USDA systems.
Reducing unnecessary burden while maintaining food safety
· Streamlining processes related to FSIS inspection staffing concerns and appeals.
· Improving consistency and clarity across the field through targeted training and guidance.
· Strengthening coordination with the Small Business Administration to ensure small plants are aware of available resources.
USDA will begin rolling out these improvements immediately and will continue engaging with small and very small plants to ensure the changes are effective and responsive to real-world needs.
Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program:
The USDA Rural Business and Cooperative Service published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for $60 million to fund a fourth phase of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) to help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their capacity, encourage competition and sustainable growth in the United States meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency. Available funding will be divided equally into two separate competitions: one for small and very small processors and one for intermediate processors.
Eligible applications include for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations, producer-owned cooperatives, tribes, and tribal entities. Privately-owned entities must be independently owned and operated, and all entities must be domestically owned. Additionally, the applicant’s processing facility must be physically located and operating in the United States or its territories. The applicant’s facility must primarily process cattle in order for the project to be eligible for the program; however, funds or equipment may be used for processing meat and poultry at the facility.
