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The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is now accepting applications for the Nevada State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program The United States Department Of Agriculture (USDA), finalized their approval for this program earlier this year. Through the full launch of the new program it is believed that Nevada’s food system will be enhanced by allowing for meat to be processed and sold in Nevada.
“Nevada’s livestock industry plays a vital role in the state’s agricultural landscape, primarily made up of family-owned and mid-sized operations across rural Nevada,” said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea. “The Nevada State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program will offer new opportunities to these producers, improve Nevada’s supply chain, and increase access to truly locally grown and raised food in the state.”
The NDA is committed to protecting public health and strengthening Nevada’s food system by enabling Nevadans to establish and operate meat and poultry processing facilities within the state. Through the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, the NDA ensures that all products meet the highest standards of safety, quality and regulatory compliance. With applications now open for new meat and poultry plant permits, this program plays a vital role in expanding local processing capacity, supporting Nevada’s agricultural economy, and increasing access to safe, locally produced food.
Nevada Farm Bureau policy has pressed for this program for several years and we are pleased to see Nevada reach this point.
Nevada’s State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program operates under all relevant state laws and meets or exceeds the standards of the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). This ensures that all meat and poultry products sold in Nevada are safe for consumers and produced in accordance with health and safety regulations.
Under this program, NDA inspectors must be present during the slaughter and processing of meat and poultry products in order to be eligible for sale within the state. Inspectors verify the humane handling of animals, conduct pre- and post-mortem inspections, and ensure that facilities maintain proper sanitation, recordkeeping and compliance with all applicable regulations.
Application Process
To obtain a Meat or Poultry Processing Permit, applicants must submit a completed application to the NDA. Please email MeatInspection@agri.nv.gov to request the application form or for additional questions related to the application or the process.
Application Fee: $500 (renewed annually by December 31)
Facility Plan Review Fee: $750 (one-time, unless the facility is renovated or modified)
Once the application and fees are received, a plan review will be initiated. Applicants are encouraged to submit all required documentation with their application to avoid delays.
Additional Documentation:
The scope of your operation will determine whether a state inspection or custom-exempt inspection is required. You may also need to provide letters of approval from other agencies. These may include, but are not limited to:
- State and county business licenses
- Water system approval
- Approved sewage removal
- Qualifying USDA exemptions
- County zoning approval
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All materials should be submitted to MeatInspection@agri.nv.gov.
Regulations and Resources
For reference, the following links provide relevant state and federal regulations:
State Regulations: R003-23AP.pdf
Federal Regulations: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-III
If you have any questions, please visit agri.nv.gov/meat or contact the Nevada Meat and Poultry team at MeatInspection@agri.nv.gov or 775-710-1723.
Upcoming Office Hours
To assist applicants and answer questions, the NDA will host virtual office hours via Microsoft Teams:
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. PST
Register here: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/9ea3529f-190e-4bc0-94f6-c1f863ab1307@e4a340e6-b89e-4e68-8eaa-1544d2703980
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