SPRINGFIELD, IL – This week, State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) passed HB 2196 through the House unanimously. This bill makes it easier for small poultry farmers to farm and sell poultry with less regulation from the State.
“Our small-scale farmers oftentimes find themselves knee deep in red tape,” said Rep. Meier. “This bill eases the burden on them and will give our communities farm-fresh poultry at our farmers markets and farm stands. I’m sick of seeing small farms and processing facilities shut their doors because they can’t keep up with Illinois regulations.”
Current law states that poultry producers are exempt from the costly regulations that large poultry farms must follow if they possess no more than 5,000 chickens annually. This bill raises that threshold to 7,500 poultry, meaning small farmers can expand their operations. The bill has safeguards for safety, including labelling requirements, food safety certifications, and notice to customers that their poultry is exempt from continuous USDA or IDOA inspection.
Meier worked with several stakeholders to pass this legislation, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, the Illinois Farm Bureau, health departments, and others. Meier also noted that this bill brings Illinois closer to the regulation that neighboring states follow.
Ed Dubrick from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance thanked Rep. Meier for his advocacy on this issue that is important to farmers across Illinois.
“Representative Meier’s leadership on this bill was instrumental to its success,” Dubrick said. “As a farmer himself, he understood our members’ needs firsthand. His ability to identify and work with additional stakeholders helped us negotiate bill language that has no known opposition. His knowledge of the legislative process was key to its success. This bill not only passed out of the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee unanimously, but also passed on the floor of the House with a vote of 116-0. None of this would have been possible without Representative Meier’s leadership, knowledge, and desire to improve the viability of farms of all sizes, all across Illinois. We’re thankful for his continued service and leadership on behalf of Illinois farmers.”
The Vonder Haar family from St. Rose testified in committee in support of this bill. “This bill will allow us to increase our pastured poultry numbers and allow more sales avenues,” said Jill Vonder Haar, who was joined by her two youngest children Lauryn and Evan. The Vonder Haar family operates Main Street Pastures, a family farm.
HB 2196 awaits further legislative action in the Senate.
State Representative Charlie Meier represents the 109th District which includes portions of Bond, Clinton, Madison, St. Clair, and Washington counties. For more information, please visit CharlieMeier.net or contact Rep. Meier’s district office at 618-651-0405.