(SPRINGFIELD) Farmers can now apply for an exemption within the Meat & Poultry Inspection Act to process their own poultry and rabbits and in turn sell them at the retail level without continuous inspection from the state and national agriculture departments. Several groups, such as the Illinois Farm Bureau, helped forward the legislation that was approved to ease regulations on local farmers since there are few poultry procession facilities in Illinois. Those wanting to apply for a two year exemption need to contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA).
