Troxler appoints Yongue to lead Meat and Poultry Inspection Division

Dr. Beth Yongue has been named director of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Division at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Yongue replaces Alan Wade, who retired in January.

She will oversee the 120-employee division, which includes meat and poultry inspectors, veterinarians and compliance officers who enforce laws designed to ensure that meat and poultry products entering grocery stores and restaurants in North Carolina pass rigorous guidelines and are properly labeled. The division has 85 inspectors located across the state whose job is to supervise the humane slaughter of animals and to make sure processing plants are in compliance with state and federal laws.

“Dr. Yongue has spent 20 years on the front lines of the meat industry in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “I am confident her experience as a veterinary medical officer and as deputy director has prepared her well to lead.”

Yongue received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from N.C. State University. She is a native of Laurinburg.