In 1967, at the time of the passage of the Wholesome Meat Act, there were nearly 10,000 slaughterhouses in the country. The table below from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) on the number of livestock slaughter plants (poultry plants are not included) shows how the local
State News
State Raw Milk Bills – 2016 Update
In the 2015 legislative session, six states passed legislation increasing raw milk access. While it doesn’t look like this year’s session will be as productive, there are several states that have a good chance of
Who Makes Law in Virginia? FDA
On February 1, the Virginia House Agriculture Sub-Committee quietly killed an amended version of the Virginia Food Freedom Act (HB 619) by tabling the bill during a subcommittee hearing. The amended version of HB 619 would have
Bavuso’s Fight for Local Aquaculture in Virginia Continues
Anthony Bavuso began oyster farming on his property in York County, Virginia because he wanted to be a producer and saw oysters as a way to help improve
Food Freedom Farce in Virginia
When is a final committee vote on a bill not final? In Virginia, it’s when the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) decides it doesn’t like the outcome.