MEAT ESTABLISHMENT (SLAUGHTERHOUSES) LICENSE
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has
the authority to regulate the destruction, slaughter or processing of domestic
animals.
PURPOSE: Establishments processing meat are required to
be licensed by the department. This includes facilities that change the
consistency of the meat before sale, such as hamburger meat, smoked sausage,
etc.
NOTE: Where the slaughtering operations of
slaughterers, packers or stockyard operators who would otherwise be subject to
the requirements of this section are subject to inspection by the United States
Department of Agriculture, applicable federal law shall control, and the
determination of whether slaughter is conducted by humane methods shall be made
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in accordance with federal authority or
the subject of humane methods of slaughter.
Meat Establishment licenses are valid for two calendar years. Checks should be made payable to the PA Department of Agriculture in the amount of $25.