01-001 C.M.R. ch. 348, § 2 - Criteria for Grower/Producer Exempt Status

1. A poultry grower shall be considered grower/producer exempt and may slaughter his/her own poultry without an inspector being present during slaughter provided that grower meets the requirements in this Chapter 348, sections 2.(1). through 2.(6), and slaughters no more than 1,000 birds in any calendar year. Grower/Producer exempt facilities are not allowed to slaughter birds for others, or birds that are purchased and are not of their own raising. Grower/Producers may not purchase birds for resale that have been processed under another exemption.

2. Slaughter and processing must take place on the Grower/Producer's premises, using sanitary procedures, in a facility licensed pursuant to this chapter. Slaughter and processing may not take place in a home kitchen.

3. Only slaughter of healthy birds is allowed.

4. Grower/Producers may sell only from the farm on which the poultry was raised, at a Farmers' Market, by delivery directly to a household customer, or to a person who is a member of a community supported agriculture farm that has a direct marketing relationship with the poultry producer. For the purposes of this section, "community supported agriculture" means an arrangement whereby individual consumers have agreements with a farmer to be provided with food or other agricultural products produced on that farm. A Grower/Producer may not engage in interstate or internet sales.

5. A Retail Meat and Poultry Sales license is required for sales to household consumers, including sales to consumers through "community supported agriculture". A Mobile Vendor license is required for sales at a Farmers' Market.

6. Grower/Producers who do not meet the requirements of this chapter must comply with all applicable provisions of 22 M.R.S. Chapter 551, 562-A, CMR 01-001, Chapter 343 and CMR 01-001, Chapter 346. Questions regarding the poultry exemptions and requirements in Maine's laws and regulations may be directed to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, 28 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333.

Notes

01-001 C.M.R. ch. 348, § 2