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Bill would let retailers sell uninspected bison, red deer and elk meat; committee hears farmers and safety rules
Summary
Sen. Howard Pearl told the House Environment & Agriculture Committee that Senate Bill 229 would allow retailers to sell bison, red deer and elk meat currently exempt from USDA inspection while keeping labeling and tracing requirements; a farmer who raises bison described state testing and on‑farm practices.
Senate Bill 229 would permit retailers to sell bison, red deer and elk meat that are currently exempt from federal (USDA) inspection, while keeping labeling and traceability requirements in place, sponsor Sen. Howard Pearl told the House Environment & Agriculture Committee.
"All labeling and tracing requirements remain the same," Pearl said, and he described the change as a limited expansion of markets for New Hampshire farmers. He said the bill also removes a statutory sunset so the program allowing sale of uninspected cervid meat will not lapse next year.
Nick Velas, who identified himself as owner of Rivervale Farm in Arrell and said he has raised bison for 30 years, told the committee that his operation already sells from the farm and to restaurants and that producers follow state testing practices: "We do give post mortem tissue samples to the same New Hampshire... we send tissue samples for every 5 animals that we slaughter," Velas said. He said packages are labeled to indicate the meat is not federally inspected but is state‑inspected.
Committee members reviewed existing statutory limits and the operational rules that apply now. During the hearing members and witnesses described conditions that currently govern on‑farm slaughter and sale under the exemption: the exemption requires slaughter on designated farm premises between Sept. 1 and April 30, removal to cold storage within 12 hours, annual antemortem herd examination documented by a veterinarian licensed under RSA 332‑B, and recordkeeping that enables tracing if a public‑health issue arises. The committee also discussed testing requirements for ground meat and tissue sampling; Velas and others said the processing and testing regime includes ground‑meat testing and periodic tissue sampling sent to the state laboratory.
Supporters, including farmers and industry groups, testified there was no opposition in the Senate last session and that the bill is meant to help small producers reach retail markets without changing labeling, tracing or testing standards. No formal committee vote was taken at the hearing; the chair closed testimony and the committee indicated it would consider the bill at its next meeting.
Ending: The committee scheduled continued work on the bills and will review testimony and any amendments before any final recommendation.
