Compelling Testimonials on On-Farm Slaughter Policy Impacts
During our Small Farm Action Day with NOFA-VT on March 24th, farmers, itinerant slaughterers, customers of on-farm slaughtered livestock, as well as farm business advisors and advocates, testified in a joint hearing of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Rural Vermont staff thanks all farmers and local food advocates who took the time and testified. Hearing real life stories is always the most persuasive advocacy. They eloquently expressed how the “new” VAAFM (Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets) interpretations of our State and Federal policies relating to On-Farm Slaughter will negatively affect them, their farms, and their communities. They also spoke to their concerns related to a document provided to staff of our federal delegation by the FSIS (federal Food Safety and Inspection Service) asserting further new interpretations and restrictions. Curt Peterson from Shincracker Icelandic Sheep Farm in Hartland Vermont and Katy Wolfe from Boondoggle Farm in Putney Vermont, testified about how they have been organizing and conducting the slaughter of their lamb over many years and how the new interpretations being put forth will present significant barriers to their farms and businesses.
The memo in question that VAAFM had sent to registered farmers on January 6th, 2022, highlighted in yellow: “USDA has reinforced the requirements in all states, including Vermont, that in order to qualify for the personal exemption, the owner(s) of the animal has to conduct the slaughter and/or be present if they hire an itinerant slaughterer.” While the VAAFM General Council Steven Collier stated on record that rules and regulations have NOT changed in recent years, that these restrictions have always been the law as they understand it - Legislative Council Michael O’Grady aimed to clarify during the hearing that there is a lack of a documented change in guidance from FSIS. During the hearing, Rural Vermont intern Elena Roig read testimonials from farmers and custom processors attesting to their recognition of these restrictions as new and different interpretations of the law, and the real life implications this communication from the VAAFM entail for them, their farms, and their communities.
We are continuing to work with a group of local On-Farm Slaughter stakeholders to inform our path forward, as well as seeking partnership with national organizations.
Stay tuned for updates on the issue and be in touch with your questions and concerns with info@ruralvermont.org.