January 10/Washington/CIDRAP News -- The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to close five of its 15 district Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) offices to save money and boost efficiency, a move that officials said will not impair meat and poultry plant inspections.
The five district offices in five states are among 259 USDA offices targeted for closure under the "Blueprint for Stronger Service," which was detailed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The plan is expected to save about $150 million annually, the agency said.