| Poultry slaughter FAQ |
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| Introduction |
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Many poultry producers or growers are considering slaughtering and processing their poultry on their farms to sell directly to customers at the farms or at farmers' markets. Some growers are considering building processing facilities with the intent of supplying local customers, including retail stores, restaurants, and farmers markets.
At some point, a grower that plans to sell poultry that he or she slaughters or processes will face the question, "Can I sell the poultry that I slaughter or process in Oregon?" You may find answers to your poultry slaughter/process questions below.
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| Do I need a license to slaughter and sell my poultry in Oregon? |
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Yes, unless you qualify under the House Bill 2872 (The Poultry Bill) licensing exemption for individuals processing no more than 1,000 poultry and meeting other requirements. Details about this exemption can be found in the ODA Poultry Bill FAQ.
All other meat sellers are required to have a license from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). Based on gross annual sales, license fees range between $216 and $704. ORS 603.025
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| Do I need a license even though I am USDA federally exempt? |
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Yes. Unless you qualify under the House Bill 2872 (The Poultry Bill) licensing exemption for an individual processing no more than 1,000 poultry. Details about this exemption can be found in the ODA Poultry Bill FAQ.
An ODA license is required in all other cases, even cases where a firm is exempt from continuous USDA inspection.
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| Does Oregon have any licensing exemptions for poultry processing? |
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Yes. House Bill 2872 (the Poultry Bill) was passed by Oregon Legislature and signed by the Governor on May 19th, 2011. This bill creates a licensing exemption for individual processing no more than 1,000 poultry and meeting other requirements. Details about this exemption can be found in the ODA Poultry Bill FAQ.
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| Why is there a difference between Oregon law and federal law? |
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How can the two become consistent in the future?
The main difference between federal and Oregon law is that USDA (a federal agency) does not require a license for the slaughter of poultry, while Oregon does. In Oregon, a slaughter facility is recognized as a food establishment, and all food establishments are required to be licensed.
ORS 616.706(1)
Regarding the requirements placed on the slaughter of poultry, the USDA (federal) and ODA (state) apply a similar 1,000 bird poultry exemption from licensing and routine inspection. The restrictions on qualifying under this bill can be found in the ODA Poultry Bill FAQ.
Unless a firm is exempt from licensing under House Bill 2872 (the Poultry Bill), all poultry slaughter establishments are inspected by the ODA to ensure compliance with food safety laws. Firms exempt from licensing under House Bill 2872 are still required to produce wholesome unadulterated product and are still subject to inspection and condemnation where unsanitary conditions exist.
ORS 616.740
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| What options do I have for slaughtering my poultry? |
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a. Slaughter and sell no more than 1,000 poultry in accordance with House Bill 2872 (The Poultry Bill). Details on how to comply with this bill can be found in the Poultry Bill FAQ.
b. Build your own licensed facility. (Contact the Food Safety Division for more information).
c. Have the birds slaughtered at another non-custom, licensed ODA poultry slaughter facility.
d. Have the birds slaughtered at a continuously inspected USDA facility.
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| Can I "open-air" slaughter in Oregon? |
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House Bill 2872 (The Poultry Bill) creates a licensing exemption for individuals slaughtering no more than 1,000 birds for direct sales to the end consumer. If the direct sales takes place at the poultry business, then minimal building and facilities may be sufficient and a poultry processing building is not required. Poultry must be "reasonably" protected, which can be accomplished with a combination of a canopy, tarps and floor mats. More information on qualifying under this exemption can be found in the ODA Poultry Bill FAQ.
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| May I sell my slaughtered poultry at the farmers market? |
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Even if a firm qualifies under House Bill 2872 (The Poultry Bill), Oregon law calls for poultry sold at farmers' markets to be processed at a facility that meets ODA building requirements for poultry processing. Requirements at individual farmers' markets may vary. Please contact the farmers' market for their specific standards/rules.
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| Do I need to comply with waste disposal requirements? |
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Yes. A producer may compost up to 20,000 lbs. of solid and liquid waste (blood, offal, feathers) without a permit from any agency of the State of Oregon. A producer who composts greater than the 20,000 pound limit or who wants to apply solid and/or liquid waste (blood, offal, feathers) directly to the surface of the land can call the ODA's Natrual Resources Division for further information and permit requirements that may apply to their specific situation.
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| Who do I contact if I have questions about poultry slaughter? |
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Contact the ODA's Food Safety Division.
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