Oregon’s Meat Inspection Program Needs Funding for Success, Say Local Farmers
In an effort to support local farmers and keep meat processing within Oregon, the state launched a $10 million meat inspection program in 2022.
The program aims to enable smaller, local slaughterhouses to process meat that can be sold within Oregon, meeting federal USDA standards. However, advocates warn that the program requires additional funding to operate effectively.
According to Mike Guebert, a livestock farmer and program director at Oregon Pasture Network, the limited number of USDA-certified facilities in the state has been a challenge for smaller producers: “If you are a new farmer that wants to raise livestock and get into…farmers market or restaurant sales…you might be out of luck.”
Many farmers face long wait times at existing facilities, which impacts their ability to process animals at ideal times.
Under the state’s meat inspection program, Oregon allocated $2 million initially, followed by $9 million in 2023 for purchasing equipment and increasing processing capacity. Two facilities currently participate, with two more set to join in January 2025.
The program aims to have 10 to 12 facilities by late 2025, according to Andrea Cantu-Schomus, spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). However, the program faces obstacles in staffing, with only two inspectors currently available.
Alice Morrison, co-director of Friends of Family Farmers, emphasized the need for inspectors, who are required to be present each time an animal is processed: “This program needs dedicated staff time…to serve these facilities that the state is invested in.”
Without adequate funding for inspectors, ODA might need to pull funds from other programs, said Rusty Rock, ODA’s Food Safety and Animal Health director.
Guebert believes that the success of this program could contribute to a more resilient food supply, reducing reliance on large corporations: “A program like this just helps our entire system become more resilient…bringing more of that closer to home is nothing but a win for everybody.”
Curious about challenges in meat processing for small farms? Check out our homepage for updates on Oregon’s inspection program and local farming.
