Is there an exemption for on-farm slaughtering and processing of poultry?

More and more poultry growers are considering adding value to their enterprises by slaughtering, processing and marketing directly to consumers. Some are even looking into building processing facilities and developing formal marketing arrangements with retailers and restaurants. During the evaluation process, growers must consider the regulatory and inspection requirements and the possible exemptions for small-scale operators.

To help small businesses and poultry growers address these issues, The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has developed a guide which clarifies the Poultry Products Inspection Act. This guide helps growers determine which poultry slaughter and processing operations require Federal and State inspection and which are eligible for exemption under the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act. According to the guide, any enterprise that slaughters or processes poultry for use as human food is required to do so under Federal or State inspection, unless certain exemptions criteria is met.

Exempt means that certain operations may operate without continuous inspection. However, exempt operations are required to slaughter and process under sanitary conditions using specific procedures that produce sound, clean products for human foods. The poultry products must also be properly branded and cannot be adulterated.

A complete copy of the guide may be downloaded from the USDA Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/Poultry_Slaughter_Exemption_0605.pdf