May 24, 2022, is the deadline to apply for a Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) from the USDA.

The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program assists currently operational meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities in obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA); or to operate as a State-inspected facility that is compliant with FMIA or PPIA under a respective Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program.

The MPIRG focuses on:

• Improving meat and poultry slaughter and processing capacity and efficiency;
• Developing new and expanding existing markets;
• Increasing capacity and better meeting consumer and producer demand;
• Maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards;
• Obtaining a larger commercial presence; and
• Increasing access to slaughter/processing facilities for smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities.

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2022 Request for Applications is May 24, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

For more information or to apply, visit the MPIRG website, or email Eric Bozoian.