New federal order to strengthen enforcement of meat-market rules and expand interstate sales

What this order does

• Directs USDA to prioritize and expand investigations under the Packers and Stockyards Act, focusing on unfair, deceptive, discriminatory, price-manipulation, and anti-competitive practices.
• Increases resources and staffing for the Packers and Stockyards Division (AMS), USDA Office of General Counsel, and USDA Office of Inspector General.
• Directs close coordination with the Department of Justice per the USDA–DOJ Antitrust Division memorandum of understanding dated September 26, 2025.

Steps to expand interstate market access

• Accelerate State participation in: the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, and the Talmadge–Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program.
• Create technical assistance and training for small and very small meat processors and set up an accessible web resource listing local slaughter and processing availability, including federally inspected facilities that enable interstate shipment.
• Modernize inspection to focus on core food safety, boost efficiency and technology, and remove FSIS inspection reporting or prescriptive requirements that do not advance essential food safety needs.
• Establish a USDA coordinator position to implement these actions and serve as a liaison to ranchers and small/medium processors.
• Direct USDA to consider a guaranteed loan program ("Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers") for small and regional beef processors.

Deadlines and reports

• Within 60 days: USDA must submit a report on current enforcement actions, resource needs, and a plan for heightened Packers and Stockyards enforcement.
• Within 60 days: USDA must report on current participation in State–Federal cooperative inspection programs and identify statutory/regulatory barriers to interstate market access for State-inspected products.
• Within 60 days: USDA must identify Federal statutory provisions and trade considerations that restrict or prohibit State-inspected or custom-exempt meat products from entering interstate commerce.

Limits and implementation

• Actions must be consistent with applicable law and subject to availability of appropriations.
• The order does not create enforceable private rights.
• Issued September 4, 2026, and signed by the President.