PRIME Act

Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act or the PRIME Act

This bill exempts from federal inspection requirements animals and meats that are slaughtered and prepared at custom animal slaughter facilities for distribution within the state. Under current law, a custom slaughter exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered exclusively for personal, household, guest, or employee uses.

Specifically, the bill expands the federal inspection exemption to include the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, meat, and meat food products that are

• slaughtered and prepared at a custom slaughter facility in accordance with the laws of the state where the facility is located; and
• prepared exclusively for distribution to household consumers in the state or restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, grocery stores, or other establishments in the state that either prepare meals served directly to consumers or offer meat and food products for sale directly to consumers in the state.

The bill does not preempt any state law concerning (1) the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, meat, and meat food products at a custom slaughter facility; or (2) the sale of meat or meat food products.

The PRIME Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 2814, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to allow for the sale of custom-slaughtered meat within states. This means that farmers and ranchers would be able to sell meat from animals that they have raised and had slaughtered at a custom facility, without having to go through the traditional USDA inspection process.

Supporters of the PRIME Act argue that it would give small-scale farmers and ranchers more flexibility and control over their businesses, as well as provide consumers with access to locally-raised, high-quality meat. They also believe that it would help to support rural economies and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Opponents of the bill, however, have raised concerns about food safety and the potential for increased risk of foodborne illnesses if meat is not subject to USDA inspection. They argue that the current inspection process is in place to protect consumers and ensure that meat is safe to eat. Overall, the PRIME Act is a controversial piece of legislation that has sparked debate among lawmakers, farmers, and consumers. It remains to be seen whether or not it will be passed into law.