USDA Streamlines Meat and Poultry Rail Exports to Mexico

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) acknowledged its support for a new arrangement to expedite the rail export of U.S. meat and poultry products to Mexican markets on Sept. 18.

Through the partnership, inspection personnel from Mexico’s National Service of Agri-Food, Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) will inspect at participating federally inspected establishments to reinspect and clear for export eligible U.S. meat and poultry shipments at the point of origin. This process will eliminate the need for routine border inspections by Mexican officials and allow for faster, more efficient delivery of American meat and poultry products, said USDA.

Mexico remains the largest export destination for U.S. meat and poultry, with trade exceeding $5.5 billion in 2024, said the agency.

This arrangement, described by USDA as the first of its kind in the U.S. meat and poultry sector, does not impose any new regulatory requirements on U.S. exporters and is voluntary for FSIS-inspected facilities.

This past week, FSIS leadership participated in three key stakeholder events.

At the quarterly Partnership for Food Safety Education meeting on Sept. 12, FSIS Administrator Dr. Justin Ransom joined representatives from government, industry, nonprofits and academia to share updates and reinforce commitment to consumer education.

Ransom highlighted the agency’s focus on training and career growth, building smarter systems and using contemporary approaches to consumer outreach. He also emphasized the need to think differently about how we engage and reach consumers and maintain public trust. These quarterly meetings provide a forum for aligning priorities, exchanging ideas and sustaining national coordination on food safety education.