Resolve, To Streamline the Laws Governing Small Slaughterhouses
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0922
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: McCABE, SCHNEIDER, CRAY, DILL, GIFFORD, KENT, O'BRIEN

Legislative Document 
No. 922 
H.P. 682 
House of Representatives, March 8, 2011 
Resolve, To Streamline the Laws Governing Small Slaughterhouses 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative McCABE of Skowhegan. 
Cosponsored by Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot and 
Representatives: CRAY of Palmyra, DILL of Old Town, GIFFORD of Lincoln, KENT of 
Woolwich, O'BRIEN of Lincolnville. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period in order for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to report 
back to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry before 
the end of the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Examination of laws and rules governing small slaughterhouses.  
Resolved:  That the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall 
examine the laws and rules governing small slaughterhouses with particular emphasis on 
obstacles that prevent small slaughterhouses from processing many different species of 
animals as efficiently and safely as possible.  The department shall examine the process it 
uses to answer questions posed to it by owners and operators of small slaughterhouses 
and describe steps it will take to ensure that the answers it provides are in writing and 
timely, clear, consistent and complete.  The department shall report its findings to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than May 1, 
2011.  The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may 
submit legislation to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature on the subject 
matter of the department's report. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
examine the laws and rules governing small slaughterhouses with particular emphasis on 
obstacles that prevent small slaughterhouses from processing many different species of 
animals as efficiently and safely as possible.  The department shall examine the process it 
uses to answer questions posed to it by owners and operators of small slaughterhouses 
and describe steps it will take to ensure that the answers it provides are in writing and 
timely, clear, consistent and complete.  The department shall report its findings to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than May 1, 
2011.  The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may 
submit legislation to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature on the subject 
matter of the department's report.