For more information on USDA Meat Grading Service eligibility, participation requirements for the Remote Grading Program for Beef (RGP), and how to get started, refer to the RGP Guide to Getting Started (pdf)
For the purposes of the RGP, the following document serves to guide the roles and responsibilities of the Applicant and USDA.
Eligibility
Applicants must be domestic facilities conducting beef slaughter under a federal grant of inspection (FSIS inspection), the FSIS Commercial Interstate Shipping (CIS) Program, an FSIS Talmadge-Aikin agreement, or a State-administered Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) Program.
Requesting Service
A request for service must be filed on the Application for Service (LP-109) and an Accounts Payable Information Request (LP-109A). See also How to Apply for Service and Service Fees
Initial Site Visit
Once the Application for Service is approved, AMS Livestock and Poultry Program (AMS-LP) will schedule an initial on-site visit to conduct a Grading Plant Survey and review the RGP requirements and procedures. The AMS-LP representative will review product preparation and presentation, image capture and data submission, and SOPs for identification and control of officially graded product.
Surveillance and Compliance
AMS employs robust oversight of RGP activities to maintain integrity in the USDA Meat Grading Service, including metadata capture and review, frequent records reviews, on-site surveillance visits, and open and continuous communication and support for program participants. AMS-LP reserves the right to conduct additional site visits on a for cause basis.
Consistent with AMS current safeguards for protecting the integrity of USDA’s grading programs and the USDA grade mark, AMS may also conduct site visits at facilities and/or the retail establishments they supply to trace product graded to product sold, as currently required for compliance with under Public Law 272.
Cost Considerations
The Agricultural Marketing Service Livestock and Poultry Program (AMS-LP) is required by law to recover the costs of voluntary USDA Meat Grading Service. View our current fees for service.
The RGP is one of several options available for securing USDA Meat Grading Service. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Understanding Meat Grading materials and discuss options with AMS-LP prior to submitting a Request for Service.
Remote Beef Grading mobile application
Participants in the Remote Grading Program can use the Remote Beef Grading mobile application. The mobile application enables facilities to efficiently capture and submit images for grading, eliminating the need to download and upload files into a secure Cloud Vault. It is important to note that this application is not an augmented beef grading system. Instead, images submitted through the app are reviewed, graded, and certified by an AMS Grader.