AN ACT relating to poultry.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Calloway and 2 co-sponsors

Allows on-farm slaughter/processing for direct-to-consumer poultry under federal rules, with point-of-sale labeling and refrigeration/freezing requirements.

to Agriculture (H)

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Summary of HB 348 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose

HB 348 seeks to clarify and expand permissible on-farm poultry slaughter and processing activities for sales to end consumers, and to align Kentucky regulations with federal requirements for consumer-available poultry products sold at farms, farmers markets, or roadside stands. The measure directs the state secretary to adopt administrative regulations under KRS Chapter 13A to create a streamlined framework for on-farm slaughter/processing and sale of poultry to end consumers.

Key Provisions

On-farm slaughter and processing for end consumers (exemption from some requirements):
The bill authorizes the secretary to promulgate administrative regulations that exclude on-farm slaughtering and processing of poultry from certain standards when the poultry or poultry products are sold directly to end consumers at the farm, and also at farmers markets or roadside stands, under the federal framework described (9 C.F.R. § 381.10).

Point-of-sale handling requirements for on-farm products:

Poultry or poultry products processed under this section and sold on a farm must be refrigerated at the point of sale and labeled in compliance with 9 C.F.R. § 381.10.
Poultry or poultry products processed under this section and sold at a farmers market or roadside stand must be frozen at the point of sale and labeled in compliance with 9 C.F.R. § 381.10.

Local regulatory restrictions:
Local government agencies would be prohibited from requiring additional certifications or inspections for poultry or poultry products produced by a farmer in compliance with the new regulations established under this section.

Reference framework:
The measures rely on compliance with federal standards under 9 C.F.R. § 381.10 (which governs poultry inspection and certain processing requirements for small-scale and direct-to-consumer sales).

Who is Affected

Farmers and small producers who conduct on-farm slaughter and processing of poultry for direct sale to end consumers.

Retail settings for direct-to-consumer poultry sales, including farms, farmers markets, and roadside stands.

Local governments, which would be limited in imposing additional certifications or inspections beyond the state-regulated framework.

End consumers who purchase poultry products directly from farms, markets, or stands, with defined labeling and handling standards.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill would require the Kentucky Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate administrative regulations under KRS Chapter 13A to implement these provisions.

It creates a new section of KRS 217.005 to 217.215 establishing the framework and obligations.

As an “unofficial copy,” the exact effective date would depend on the promulgation timeline and subsequent legislative action, but the intent is to operationalize the regulations once finalized.

Practical Impact

Potential expansion of direct-to-consumer poultry sales from farms, with clarified labeling, refrigeration, or freezing at point of sale.

Streamlined local regulation for compliant farm-sold poultry, reducing duplicative inspections while maintaining federal labeling and safety standards.

Greater autonomy for farmers markets and roadside stands to offer on-farm processed poultry under the federal framework, with specific handling requirements to ensure food safety.