The State of Iowa has entered into a Cooperative Interstate Shipment Agreement with USDA’s Food, Safety and Inspection Service to sell state inspected beef across state lines. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says they were heard from processors last year asking for that opportunity.

He says this agreement couldn’t come at a better time as it also will help processors and producers deal with the back log of cattle from processing plants caused by the pandemic.

Naig says it’s a possibility other states may enter into similar agreements and could possibly lead to a regional type of approach to selling beef across state lines.

Naig says consumers can be assured that state inspected beef is as safe as that that’s been federally inspected.

Naig says this CIS deal will be beneficial for processors, producers and consumers.