Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to Assess Its Current Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs

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STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
_____
S.P. 487 - L.D. 1198
Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Forestry to Assess Its Current Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Maine's meat and poultry inspection programs exist to protect the health
and welfare of consumers by ensuring that livestock and poultry used in the production of
meat and poultry products, respectively, are humanely handled and disease-free and the
resulting products are wholesome, not adulterated and correctly labeled and packaged; and
Whereas, this legislation must take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period
to allow the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to begin its review of
Maine's meat and poultry inspection programs as soon as possible; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Meat and poultry inspection study. Resolved: That, within existing
budgeted resources, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall
conduct a review of programs and processes related to meat and poultry inspections,
including processes related to exemptions from inspections, to determine areas for possible
improvements, efficiencies and enhanced flexibility to benefit agricultural producers,
processors and retail and public customers. In conducting the review under this section,
the department shall consult with livestock and poultry producers and processors, the
United States Department of Agriculture, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension
and other stakeholders that the department determines necessary to assess existing
programs' statutory authorities, rules, regulations, policies and practices, including those
involving investigations, enforcement and staff training. As part of the review under this
section, the department shall conduct a survey of meat and poultry producers and
processors to obtain feedback on rules, regulations, policies and practices affecting the
regulated community. The department shall also review the existing exemptions that relate
to poultry processors that process certain numbers of poultry per year and the department's
APPROVED
MAY 30, 2025
BY GOVERNOR
CHAPTER
41
RESOLVES
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existing cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, Food
Safety and Inspection Service and that agreement's related requirements. The department
shall develop strategies to ensure uniform interpretation of the United States Department
of Agriculture's regulations and exemptions.
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That, by January 15, 2026, the Department of
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall submit a report based on its review in section
1 describing strategies, findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to
the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Joint
Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may submit legislation
related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.