ISSUE


PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE

Physical Plant, others

POLICY

Vermont Meat Inspection Program

POLICY TOOL

Regulations, inspections, & grading standards

SCALE

International, State & Local

ACTORS

International: Government funding, training, and certification; State: Vermont Agency of Agriculture; Local: farmers & consumers

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

This is the only Meat Inspection program in all of New England, allows for state inspectors to be certified to perform both state and federal inspections, as well as the following: "Ante-mortem, post-mortem and processing inspection for meat and poultry offered for sale within the state (other than federally inspected products);" "Surveillance and inspection of all custom slaughter and processing establishments to maintain sanitary requirements and assure that meat products from such establishments are not sold commercially"; and "Compliance and evaluation inspection of retail markets to determine that only inspected, wholesome, properly labeled meat and poultry, prepared under sanitary conditions, are offered for sale."

POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED

Security & efficiency

TOOL CHARACTERISTICS

Very visible. Somewhat coersive. Very direct. Somewhat automatic.

EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS

This brings a unique feature to Vermont that allows for some intra-state sales only. The ease of inspection and the number and proximity of federally certified inspectors may be an aid to civic agriculture if focused in that direction.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

http://www.vermontagriculture.com/meat.htm#forms