DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE NEWS

Vermont Department Of Agriculture

Door-to-Door Meat Sellers Raise Concerns in Vermont

As the grilling season heats up, and especially in times of economic difficulties, door-to-door meat sellers begin making the rounds through neighborhoods in Vermont, and setting up shop in local parking lots. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has already begun receiving reports, and some complaints, on door-to-door meat sellers. VAAFM strongly encourages Vermonters to use the utmost caution when considering purchasing meat from a door-to-door meat truck.

In the past, VAAFM has received complaints about the poor quality of the products sold by door-to-door meat sellers, as well as their misleading, and sometimes aggressive sales tactics. Concerns over the safety of the product purchased has also been at issue. Although there are several legitimate door-to-door meat sales companies licensed in Vermont, some other companies are selling meat without adhering to the appropriate requirements and without proper licensure.

VAAFM offers these tips to consumers so they can protect themselves and avoid being cheated with potentially unsafe and poor quality product:

• Ask for identification and ask to see the company’s Retail Meat License: VAAFM requires all meat and poultry vendors who sell in Vermont to be properly licensed and to carry the license with them. The license must be issued by VAAFM for the seller to be eligible to sell in Vermont. If you have a question, contact VAAFM to determine the license status of a vendor.

• Ask to see literature from the company (brochure, business card, etc. to review): Reputable companies will have a local sales office, often with a published pricing list. Often the person selling the meat is an independent contractor. It is important to get the company’s name, place of origin, address, phone number, salesperson’s full name (again, ask for identification), and the product return policy in writing – and understand it – prior to making a purchasing decision. If you do make a purchase, make sure you receive a receipt.

• Transport Vehicle: Always check to see that the products have been transported in a refrigerated vehicle. Never buy products that have been stored in the vehicle’s trunk, in an unrefrigerated vehicle, or in any kind of ordinary cooler or freezer that is unplugged. Frozen food should be stored at 0°F and fresh foods should be stored at 40°F or below at all times to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage. Unrefrigerated product may be unsafe because bacteria and pathogens can multiply rapidly during times of elevated temperatures.

• Know the price per pound: In Vermont, meat retailers are required to sell meat by the pound; therefore, be informed of the price per pound of the product in question. Don’t be fooled by a “cost per case”. Do the math ($ total price ÷ total pounds) and calculate how much meat you’re actually getting for the cost. If price per pound is not disclosed, do not purchase the product.

• Know the product you are buying: Read the label on each package. Is there a long list of added ingredients and fillers? Is the cut of meat clearly identified? Is there product inspection information? Inspection of the meat by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or by the State of Vermont is mandatory, and an establishment’s inspection number must be provided on the label, along with the species, cut of meat, Net weight, ingredients statement, and safe handling instructions. If you are being asked to buy meat in bulk, lacking sufficient labeling on each individual package of meat, you cannot be sure the meat has been properly inspected as required.

• High pressure sales tactics: Consumers should trust their instincts. If you are unsure, take a pause, and ask that they return at another time or provide you with contact information you can use at a later date. A legitimate vendor would not put pressure on a consumer to “buy now or lose the deal”.

Consumers with doubts about the safety of meat they’ve purchased are encouraged to avoid any risk and refrain from consuming it. To report a concern regarding unlicensed door-to-door meat sales, please contact VAAFM’s Meat Inspection Department at 802-828-2426.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Celebrating the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Unanimous Vote to Protect Pennsylvanians and Their Pets with the Dog Law Modernization Bill

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined supporters in applauding Senator Elder Vogel and the Senate Agriculture Committee in unanimously voting to move the Dog Law Modernization Bill to consideration.

“Senator Vogel’s bill proposes much needed modernization and standardization of Pennsylvania’s dog licensing system,” said Secretary Redding. “When this bill is passed, it will ensure the safety of our dogs and puppies in Pennsylvania, increase public transparency to ensure their pets are from trustworthy, reputable breeders, and will create opportunities for Pennsylvanians to easily purchase dog licenses online.”

“The Bureau’s primary operating funds come from the licensing and kennel fees administered through the Dog Law and with the absence of fee increases, which have not happened in 58 years, the Bureau has been financially suffering and has reported staff shortages – all of which have hindered them from efficiently performing their duties,” said Senator Vogel. “I want to thank my colleagues for supporting my legislation and seeing the dire needs of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. My bill would return the bureau to solvency and provide additional updates to modernize the Dog Law.”

The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement is primarily funded through individual dog license fees and kennel fees, but the current rates of those fees are no longer able to sufficiently fund the duties and responsibilities of the Bureau. As of 2023, the individual dog license fee rate has not been increased in 27 years and the kennel fees have not been increased in 58 years. Operating with a budget that relies on funds unchanged since 1996 and 1965 is not financially feasible, with the Bureau and thereby the public bearing the brunt of the effects.

Modernizing and updating the Dog Law affords Pennsylvania the opportunity to create better protections from dangerous dogs. “The State Police is in support of legislation which would enhance public safety, while allowing the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to hire and provide more Dog Wardens throughout the Commonwealth that currently exist. Additionally, changes to the dangerous dog and quarantine requirements would assist in response and investigations to dog law violations,” said Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Mike Spada. With this bill, Pennsylvania would be taking a proactive step forward will ensure our communities are safer from dangerous dogs while reuniting lost pets with their owners more quickly.

In addition to re-homing lost dogs, the bureau monitors more than 500 dogs on the state’s Dangerous Dog Registry, compensates shelters for housing stray dogs without licenses, compensates farmers for livestock lost to stray dogs and coyotes, enforces rabies vaccination requirements, licenses and inspects kennels, and investigates contagious disease outbreaks among puppies and dogs in breeding and commercial kennels.

“Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable animals rely on the kindness and compassion of humans. Thankfully, Senator Vogel and his team have picked up the pen and made the decision to speak for them through legislation to fully restore and support the Bureau that is on the front line of combatting animal cruelty,” Said Secretary Redding.