NC Choices has fielded a lot of questions recently about inspected Mobile Processing Units for processing local meats on farm. North Carolina has a handful of mobile poultry processing units for poultry slaughter exempt from daily inspection as allowed by law, but currently there is not an inspected unit for small or large animals in service in our region. Poultry processing units that operate under exemption from daily inspection demonstrate an effective combination of the benefits of on-farm processing and compliance with regulatory requirements with minimal costs. Mobile Processing Units for large animals (beef, swine, goat, lamb) are not offered inspection exemptions and can only operate under state or federal inspection and therefore require significantly more in initial investment and operating costs. NC Choices is gathering information on related projects that are under development in NC and neighboring states. We welcome contact from producers, buyers, regulatory agents and others with existing exempt poultry units and/or "inspected unit" projects currently under development. Contact casey@ncchoices.com Connect with us at www.ncchoices.com/mailinglist www.carolinameatconference.com and on Facebook
Our national partner, the Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network (NMPAN) is hosting a webinar on this topic this Thursday, April 5th. Please see below of information and instruction on how to participate in this free opportunity.
We’ll hear reports from the field from people operating/connected with 5 MPPUs around the country: Kentucky, Montana, Vermont, and two in Massachusetts.