Numerous pieces of legislation went into effect on the 1st of January in the state of Illinois. One of those sponsored by State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) makes it easier for small poultry farmers to farm and sell poultry with less regulation from the State.
“Our small-scale farmers oftentimes find themselves knee deep in red tape,” said Rep. Meier. “This law eases the burden on them and will give our communities farm-fresh poultry at our farmers markets and farm stands. I’m sick of seeing small farms and processing facilities shut their doors because they can’t keep up with Illinois regulations.”
Previous law stated that poultry producers were exempt from the costly regulations that large poultry farms must follow if they possess no more than 5,000 chickens annually. This law raises that threshold to 7,500 poultry, meaning small farmers can expand their operations. The law has safeguards for safety, including labelling requirements, food safety certifications, and notice to customers that their poultry is exempt from continuous USDA or IDOA inspection.
Meier worked with several stakeholders to pass this legislation, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, the Illinois Farm Bureau, health departments, and others.
“This bill allows the farmers that have been processing up to 5,000 chicken a year on their farm to process up to 7500. It will also allow them to go and sell these at a farmers market. They will have to put it by the farmer’s market health standards for that. They will have lettering boards in front of their signs saying this was processed on a farm and not a meat factory. We have lost another one of our small processors for poultry in the state of Illinois, and we are losing options for these farms to bring fresh food to Illinois families. This bill is going to give them that opportunity.”
Meier also noted that this law brings Illinois closer to the regulation that neighboring states follow.
