House committee advances bill allowing small farms to process poultry under USDA exemption

House Bill 278, which would allow small poultry producers in Kentucky to process and sell poultry under an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture exemption, received a favorable report from the Kentucky House Standing Committee on Agriculture on March 5.

Sponsor Representative Josh Bray, state representative for House District 71, told the committee the bill would let small producers “process it safely” and references non-CFR Section 381.1 commercial food-processing standards. Bray said the measure is intended to align Kentucky with other states: “This is an exemption that 48 states currently utilize and Kentucky isn't 1 of them.”

The bill would permit farmers to process poultry and sell it directly to consumers at the farm, at farmers markets or at roadside stands, limiting how many times the product changes hands to preserve traceability, supporters said. Marissa Christie, executive director of Community Farm Alliance, and Shelby–Henry County farmer David Neville spoke in support of the bill.

Committee members questioned how the measure would intersect with avian influenza response and routine food-safety oversight. Representative Auld asked whether the exemption would hamper recalls or tracing in the event of an avian-flu outbreak. Representative Bray replied that the measure does not change disease response authority and that traceability is partly maintained because sales would be limited to the farmer’s direct outlets. Representative Tipton and others noted that detection and response to avian influenza would remain the responsibility of the state veterinarian and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Members also asked about refrigeration and inspection. Committee testimony referenced existing guidance in Kentucky’s commercial food manufacturing guide and said participating facilities would be expected to follow Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans and sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs). Witnesses noted that products processed under the exemption must be labeled as produced under USDA exemption and cannot cross state lines without meeting other federal requirements.

The committee voted by roll call to give the bill a favorable report; the chair announced the bill “does pass with favorable expression, and we expect it to do so on the House floor.” The committee recorded only affirmative votes during the roll call.

The bill’s passage from committee means it will go to the full Kentucky House for further consideration. The committee record did not include amendments to the measure during the hearing.