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Mississippi farmer Rosa
Shareef's goal is to process 1,000 chickens a month, which,
at $1.50 a pound, nets about $2.25 per bird. "Good product
at a good price tends to sell itself," she said.
- Photo courtesy of Heifer International |
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Small, independent producers who want to process poultry themselves
and sell directly to customers can take advantage of provisions
in federal laws that allow them to be exempt from inspection. Some
states use the federal laws while others have their own state laws.
Fewer than 1,000 broilers – In many states, if you do not
sell meat across state lines and you do not market poultry from
other farms, you can raise and process up to 1,000 birds a year
and be exempt from federal inspection rules. Check with officials
in your state department of agriculture or health before processing
to clarify the exemptions allowed.
Between 1,000 and 20,000 broilers – If the processing facility
used and practices employed meet federal sanitation standards and
you do not sell meat across state lines, you can be exempt from
federal inspection rules, although some states (such as Kansas)
may impose stricter rules. Check with officials in your state department
of agriculture or health before processing to clarify the exemptions
allowed.
Direct marketing rules for fresh eggs also vary by state.
Labeling claims are tightly regulated. Contact USDA’s Food
Safety Inspection Service for more information, (202) 205-0623.
Consult “The Legal Guide for Direct Farm Marketing”
(see “Resources,”) for further
explanation of processing regulations.
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