Messaging from VAAFM re: Meat Processing & VT COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) recognizes the severe impact and disruption on our meat supply chain due to COVID-19.  VAAFM is currently reviewing all possible near-term options for producers to meet the increased consumer demand for local meats.  Simultaneously, we are working on long-term fixes to bolster existing inspected slaughter and processing infrastructure to ensure resiliency in our meat industry.  We realize, however, that will not remedy current un-met demand or limited processing capacity available in the state.

The Agency recognizes the demand for local meat has created the marketing opportunity for many local meat producers to consider expanding operations and yet the difficulty in accessing local or regional slaughter and further processing capacity has made business growth difficult.  Vermont’s meat industry is not alone in facing both increased consumer demand and limited processing capacity.

If you as a meat producer want to sell packaged meat products, you must have it processed at a state or federally inspected slaughter establishment.  If there are no Vermont scheduling options available within your desired timeframe, we encourage you to reach out to regional facilities.  You can find a directory of regional slaughter and processing establishments at USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service website. 

If you are selling live animals, the on-farm personal use exemption allows for a customer to purchase a live animal from you and slaughter it on-farm where it was purchased.  The producer cannot help with slaughter.  Requirements, limitation, and additional details regarding “On Farm” Personal Use Exemption can be found on VAAFM’s website.  Additionally, a producer could operate a custom slaughter establishment, allowing the producer to provide slaughter and/or processing services to buyers of live animals.  For more questions about custom slaughter possibilities, please contact Julie Boisvert, VAAFM’s Meat Inspection Section Chief, at Julie.Boisvert@vermont.gov.

Finally, we want to ensure that you are aware of VAAFM’s Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP).  Your business may be eligible to apply for assistance to cover lost revenue and/or other COIVD-19 related expenses that have caused economic harm to your business.  Specifically, if you have incurred additional feeding or care costs as a result of not being able to obtain a timely slaughter date for your animals, have increased processing costs due to traveling further to a different facility for processing, or anticipate feeding additional livestock through the winter, these may be eligible costs associated with the VCAAP Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance Application. Please visit VAAFM’s website for more information or call our office with questions at 802-828-2430 #9.

Thank you for your hard work and support of Vermont agriculture.

Anson Tebbetts
Secretary
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
802.828.5667
agriculture.vermont.gov