Working on the Coastside

CDFA | Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch 

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Information provided by CDFA:

The California Department of Food and Agriculture proposes to amend various sections of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 3, Division 2, Chapter 4 Meat Inspection, Subchapter 1, to set fees and establish technical standards specific to a newly enacted law pertaining to Custom Mobile Slaughter Operations. The public comment period begins August 16, 2024, and ends on September 30, 2024. Any interested person, or his or her duly authorized representative, may submit written comments relevant to the proposed regulatory action to the Department according to the instructions contained in the attached Notice, you are able to visit our CDFA website for more details and information, CDFA – AHFSS – AHFSS Regulations (ca.gov).  The regulatory action is intended to make specific the statutory changes and adoption incorporated under AB 888. MPES intends to set minimum requirements that ensure California consumers that on-farm slaughtering of livestock is conducted in a sanitary manner, and they are provided with custom meat product(s) that is safe, wholesome from humanely slaughtered, processed, and transported under clean and sanitary conditions. Promulgating regulations which align with market demands and food safety is determined to be the most effective mechanism to promote direct marketing, service, and food safety of meat products from livestock slaughtered in California for personal use and consumption. This rulemaking action sets fees and establishes licensure and registration while providing an inspectional oversight regime for previously unregulated activities.  Livestock Producers will be able to expand their market to individuals interested in purchasing live animals and having the animals slaughtered for personal use and consumption while consumers of California will be assured that sanitation, humane handling, and procedural requirements associated with slaughter practices are being met. This rulemaking action will set clear standards, requirements, registration, and fee structures for those wanting to participate in the market.  The proposed regulations are also necessary to strengthen food safety, consumer trust, public health, and protection of the environment.