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Panel Hears Broad Support and Safety Concerns for Bill Allowing On‑Farm Slaughter and Intrastate Meat Sales
Summary
Lawmakers heard hours of testimony on House Bill 396, which would let farmers process and sell beef, pork, goat and sheep products within New Hampshire without USDA inspection. Farmers said it would lower costs and improve animal welfare; the state health department warned of conflict with the Federal Meat Inspection Act and enforcement gaps. The committee deferred final action to rewrite and amend the bill.
The Commerce Committee spent the bulk of its morning hearing House Bill 396, a proposal to allow on‑farm slaughter and intrastate retail sales of beef, swine, goats and sheep. Representative (prime sponsor) told the panel the bill is aimed at food sustainability, affordability and giving small producers better market access.
Farmers and small‑scale butchers gave extended testimony describing the costs and delays of sending animals to distant USDA facilities, and argued in‑state processing would reduce stress on animals, lower emissions from transport and keep more of the food dollar local. Farmer Kim Fortune recounted that two USDA plants in the region burned down and left producers with no processing options; she…
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