Why We Decided to Undertake This Project

The purpose of this resource guide is to help New York farmers better understand the current
regulations governing the slaughtering, processing, and marketing of meat animals. Two ways
for farmers to realize higher returns for their farm products are to take over some of the
traditional roles of middlemen or to shift completely to direct marketing. However, meat
regulations are complex. Accurately interpreting the statutes governing the slaughtering of
livestock or poultry, and the processing and sale of meat and poultry products, is more
formidable for livestock farmers than for their counterparts in fruit and vegetable production.
Even experienced farmers can be confused by the regulations. Without a clear understanding of
what is and is not permitted under current laws, many meat producers are hesitant to participate
more directly in the marketing of their product. Instead, farmers may be limited to contract
growing livestock for large corporate packers or selling slaughter animals through a shrinking
number of local auctions and dealers. Both alternatives offer limited recourse to competitive
pricing. This resource guide attempts to explain the complex meat laws in layman’s terms and
clarifies the legal logistics of direct marketing livestock and poultry. Ultimately, this should lead
to a more direct market chain from farmer to consumer in New York and more local dollars
circulating in local communities.