MOFGA and Food for Maine’s Future have issued action alerts regarding new rules proposed for the on-farm processing of poultry in Maine. These rules would have a potentially detrimental effect on the ability of many small-scale family farms to offer farm-raised poultry for sale:
Proposed Poultry Regulations A Challenge For Maine Farmers
The Maine Department of Agriculture has proposed new rules that would affect any farmer who processes poultry on-farm under the existing federal exemptions for up to 1,000 birds. The proposed rules would be extremely expensive for many farmers to comply with.
The rulemaking hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 21, 10 a.m., in Room 208 of the Cross Office Building of the Legislature in Augusta. The hearing had been scheduled to take place at the Department but, due to the anticipated large volume of interested parties, the organizers moved it across the river! Details.
Your support of an exemption of direct farm-to-consumer sales on poultry helps rebuild our local food system. If you can’t attend Monday’s hearing, comments may be submitted to the Department of Agriculture by December 31st:
Hal Prince, Director, Division of Quality Assurance and Regulations
28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: 287-3841
E-mail: Hal.Prince@Maine.gov
Ned Porter, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Agriculture Rule-Making Liaison
E-mail: Ned.R.Porter@Maine.gov