Dear Friend,

It has come to our attention that there will be a hearing/workshop on Thursday, 6/26 held by the Florida Department of Agriculture inviting all interested parties to appear and submit public comments on a proposed rule affecting Limited Poultry and Egg Farm Operations. See proposed ruled 5k-4.033 here, and proposed rule 5k-4.020 here. For your ease, the full proposed rule can be found here.

About the Proposed Rule

🐔 The proposed rule would require producers to obtain a Limited Poultry and Egg Farm Operations permit: a position already held by the FL Department of Agriculture that would become a formal requirement under the rule.

🐔 The rule seeks to expand the size limit for Limited Poultry and Egg Farm Operation permits to egg farms with up to 3,000 hens (previously, the limit was 1,000 hens).

🐔 It also adds to the definition that the operation cannot sell more than 30 dozen eggs a week.

🐔 The rule leaves intact the definition of a limited poultry producer as one that processes no more than 20k birds annually on farm.

🐔 The rule adds that no more than 384 dressed poultry can be sold in a week.

🐔 The rule revision also allows a Limited Poultry and Egg Farm Operation to submit alternative water source documentation when applying for a permit.

About the Hearing

If you wish to weigh in on the proposed changes to the inspection, testing, and other requirements of the proposed rule, make plans to attend the hearing and be heard!

The hearing will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the Eyster Auditorium of the Conner Building:

3125 Conner Blvd

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

See further details here.