Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and the State of Georgia finalized a Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) agreement, which provides an opportunity for participating state-inspected meat processors to ship their products across state lines. Under the agreement, Georgia may inspect meat products produced in participating establishments for shipment throughout the United States.

“By entering into this agreement, Georgia’s family-owned meat processors will now have the ability to access the same domestic marketplace as everyone else,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Our ranchers have had to deal with a consolidated processing industry that has 4 companies, including 2 foreign owned, dominating 85% of the market and today’s action takes a step toward leveling the playing field. In the Trump Administration we will always put our American farmers and ranchers first by working with our state partners to deliver results. I’m grateful to have an amazing partner in Commissioner Harper who has helped make this a reality.”