This bill introduces definitions and regulations concerning the slaughtering and processing of amenable animals (animals subject to slaughter regulations) in New Hampshire. It defines a "state approved processing facility" as a facility that slaughters and/or processes amenable animals for personal use and intrastate sale, with an annual limit of 100 pigs and 50 cows, and requires annual inspection. The bill also outlines conditions under which on-farm slaughter of amenable animals is exempt from inspection when sold within the state. These conditions include the designation of a slaughter area, humane slaughter by the owner or employee, temperature restrictions, examinations by a licensed veterinarian or certified veterinary technician, and detailed reporting of the slaughter process.

The bill further exempts the slaughter and processing of animals at state approved processing facilities from inspection, provided certain conditions are met, such as annual inspections by the state veterinarian and proper sanitation. It amends existing laws to include amenable animals in exemptions and labeling requirements for the sale of meat from uninspected animals. The labeling must include product description, farm details, and slaughter date. The bill's fiscal note indicates no estimated state revenue or expenditure impact for FY 2024, and the impact for subsequent years is indeterminable. The Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food notes that the bill may violate federal regulations concerning state meat inspection programs, and therefore, cannot estimate the fiscal impact. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 427:2, 427:2-a, 427:9, 143-A:5, 143-A:19