On July 1, 2024, the Statute NMSA 25-2-22 State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program became effective and the program was launched. The Act gave the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) the authority to develop and implement the program, along with establishing license and grant requirements for both meat and poultry slaughter and processing establishments in the state.

Last fall, the NMLB followed with promulgating rules under NMAC 21.33.2 to further develop the program regarding licensing requirements, facility sanitation requirements, and recordkeeping requirements for custom exempt establishments.

In constructing this program, the NMLB worked with USDA Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) to develop a program that was considered “at least equal to” the meat and poultry inspection program the federal government implements and maintains nationwide. In other words, the state program is required to be equal to or more stringent than the federal inspection program.

Once the required components of the program were met, the NMLB prepared to sign the cooperative agreement with USDA-FSIS, allowing the state to execute and maintain the inspection program. With this cooperative agreement in place, the state inspection program must provide the same level of inspection verification procedures as the USDA federal inspection program, including following the same laws (Federal Meat Inspection Act/FMIA, Poultry Products Inspection Act/PPIA, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act/HMSA) and federal regulations (9 Code of Federal Regulations/9 CFR) that USDA-FSIS inspection follows.

• Establishment License Application
• Custom Exempt Guidelines
• MPI Statute
• NMAC Rules
• Resource links :
  • Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network--NMPAN
  • American Meat Science Association--AMSA
  • New Mexico Association of Meat Processors
  • New Mexico Department of Agriculture
  • Southwest Meat Association
  • Flower Hill Institute
  • FSIS Small & Very Small Plant Guidance
  • askFSIS

If you have questions or need assistance navigating the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, our team is here to help. Reach out using the contact information below.

Eddie Behrends - MPI Director
505-400-7357
eddie.behrends@nmlb.nm.gov

Kayla Sjoberg - MPI Senior Manager
505-26-3768
kayla.sjoberg@nmlb.nm.gov

Dr. Germaine Daye - MPI Veterinarian 
505-603-5841
germaine.daye@nmlb.nm.gov