The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) entered into a Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) agreement with the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), to allow selected State-inspected meat and poultry establishments to ship their products across state lines.
This program was created by the 2008 Farm Bill, and is limited to the 27 states that have an established Meat and Poultry Inspection Program (MPI). Since the Vermont Meat and Poultry Inspection Service is a participating state in this program, Vermont state-inspected establishments are eligible to apply for this program.
NOTE: Individual livestock producers cannot apply to the CIS program. If the producer’s meat and poultry products are produced at a CIS facility, the producer can sell their products across state lines.
Application Requirements:
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The establishment has processed inspected products under the VAAFM MIP for at least 90 days;
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The establishment has had a satisfactory Food Safety Assessment (FSA) within the last 12 months, and is in good standing with the VAAFM MIP;
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The establishment has no more than 25 employees on average that will handle any CIS product; and
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The establishment has adequate measures to completely separate CIS-inspected product from any other products and activities within the establishment
Deselection from the CIS Program:
Removal from the CIS program resulting in subsequent transition to federal inspection could occur for the following reasons:
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Egregious violation of the federal meat inspection acts or excessive failure to maintain compliance with the regulations, or egregious humane handling violations
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Exceeding the 25 employee limit, which includes part-time staff, seasonal help and volunteers
** Deselected establishments must transition to become an official federal establishment for a minimum of one year, after which the establishment could return to state inspection.
Establishments interested in applying or wishing to learn more can find the application form and an explanatory PowerPoint presentation below. Additional information on CIS can be found on the USDA-FSIS homepage. Please contact VT MPI at (802)828-2426 or agr.meatinspection@vermont.gov to learn more.
Important Links:
Vermont Directive 5740.2: Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) Establishment Application Process
Vermont CIS PowerPoint Presentation
Vermont CIS Labeling and Brands Information
Labeling and Establishment Responsibilities (usda.gov)
FSIS Compliance Guidance for Label Approval (usda.gov)
CIS Establishments (Vermont establishments will be added to this list as they apply and are accepted into the CIS program.)