H.R. 10744 – Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act

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Updated October 9, 2026 at 3:43 AM UTC

The Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act changes the Federal Meat Inspection Act to let very small farms sell their own meat directly to consumers without federal inspection. It applies only to producers who slaughter limited numbers of animals each year and who keep the meat on‑farm or sell it at farmers markets, farm stands, or similar venues. The bill also makes clear that state laws that are more permissive are not overridden by this federal change.

Key Provisions

Creates a new exemption (paragraph (b)) that lets producers who meet certain size limits sell meat directly to consumers without federal inspection, provided they follow safety rules the Secretary may set.
Sets annual slaughter limits for the exemption: no more than 25 cattle, 60 swine, 250 sheep, or 250 goats per producer.
Requires exempt meat to be labeled with “Exempt—21 U.S.C. 623” plus the producer’s name and address, and the meat must not be adulterated or misbranded.
Prohibits producers using the exemption from moving the meat in commerce; it must stay on‑farm or be sold directly to the consumer.
States that any state law that gives broader exemptions than the federal rule is not preempted.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Agriculture Committee

October 5, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 5, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Agriculture Committee

October 5, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 5, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10744

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 5, 2026

Mr. Massie (for himself, Ms. Pingree, and Mr. Burlison) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act, to provide exemptions for small scale red meat producers and processors.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Red Meat Inspection Exemption Act.

2.

Distribution of meat of animals slaughtered and processed on farms

Section 23 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 623) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) as paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and

(2)

by inserting after paragraph (a) the following new paragraph:

(b)

(1)

Under such terms and conditions as the Secretary shall prescribe through rules and regulations issued under section 24 that may be necessary to ensure food safety and protect public health, such as special handling procedures, the Secretary shall, subject to subparagraph (2), exempt from inspection requirements under this Act meat or meat food products intended for direct distribution by the producer or an agent designated by the producer to the consumer, including, but not limited to, distribution on the farm, at farm stands, at farmers markets, and at any other venue where direct producer to consumer transactions are conducted, that are slaughtered and processed in accordance with paragraph (a) by the producer of the livestock from which such meat and meat food products are derived, if—

(A)

the labeling of such meat or meat food products, in lieu of other statements required to appear on such labeling under this Act, bears the statement Exempt—21 U.S.C. 623 as well as the name and address of the producer; and

(B)

upon such distribution, such meat and meat food products are not otherwise adulterated within the meaning of paragraph (m) of section 1 and are not otherwise misbranded within the meaning of paragraph (n) of such section.

(2)

The exemption under subparagraph (1) shall apply with respect to meat and meat food products produced by a livestock producer if—

(A)

during the calendar year preceding the calendar year for which such exemption is sought, such producer slaughters not more than—

(i)

25 cattle;

(ii)

60 swine;

(iii)

250 sheep; or

(iv)

250 goats;

(B)

such producer does not move any meat or meat food products produced from livestock raised on the producer’s own farm or farms in commerce.

(3)

The exemption specified in subparagraph (1) shall not apply with respect to meat and meat food products produced by a livestock producer if the livestock producer, in the calendar year preceding the calendar year for which the exemption is sought slaughters or processes the products of more than—

(A)

200 cattle;

(B)

500 swine;

(C)

2,000 sheep; or

(D)

2,000 goats.

.

3.

Non-preemption of certain state laws

Nothing in the amendments made by section 2 shall be construed to preempt any State law providing for exemptions from State requirements related to the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products at a farm, or the sale of meat or meat food products that is more permissive than the exemptions specified in the amendments made by section 2.