Applying for inspection and exemptions
Step by step walkthroughs on getting permitted
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Read this introduction to meat and poultry inspection , then follow these steps to apply:
Contact the Meat & Poultry Inspection program office at (225) 922-1358 or email meatinspection@ldaf.la.gov to inform them you intend to apply for inspection.
Complete this application in English (online) or solicitud en español (enviar por correo)
When your application is processed, you’ll be put in contact with a District Supervisor in your area. Next:
Learn inspection requirements from your District Supervisor.
Review the new plant checklist .
Complete a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) training class.
Prepare your HACCP and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) plans.
Have any private well water source for your facility tested through the local health authority and obtain a copy of the test results.
Obtain a letter of approval from the local health authority for your facility’s sewage/sanitary wastewater system.
Get assigned an establishment number.
Submit product labels to the Meat & Poultry Inspection Program for approval and receive a grant of inspection.
More information on inspection
Rabbit and other small animals
Rabbit, game birds, and other small animals are not addressed in the Federal Meat Inspection Act, so they fall under the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) rather than LDAF or USDA. See: LDH Parish Health Units Map to find contact information for your parish’s Sanitarian.
Also see LDH Small Animal Slaughterhouse and LDH General Food Manufacturing .
Contact info
Follow these steps to apply:
Learn about custom exemptions here .
Contact the Meat & Poultry Inspection program office at (225) 922-1358 or email meatinspection@ldaf.la.gov to inform them you intend to apply for a custom exemption.
Complete this application in English (online) or solicitud en español (enviar por correo)
Select whether you are requesting custom slaughter or custom processing or both.
When your application is processed, you’ll be put in contact with a District Supervisor in your area. Next:
Learn custom facility requirements from your District Supervisor
Review the new plant checklist .
Have any private well water source for your facility tested through the local health authority and obtain a copy of the test results.
Obtain a letter of approval from the local health authority for your facility’s sewage/sanitary wastewater system.
Receive a custom establishment number.
Once you complete the checklist, you will receive a custom exemption grant from this office giving you the ability to start producing product.
Rabbit and other small animals
Rabbit, game birds, and other small animals are not addressed in the Federal Meat Inspection Act, so they fall under the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) rather than LDAF or USDA. See: LDH Parish Health Units Map to find contact information for your parish’s Sanitarian.
Also see LDH Small Animal Slaughterhouse and LDH General Food Manufacturing .
Contact info
Read this poultry exempt information , then follow these steps to apply:
Contact the Meat & Poultry Inspection program office at (225) 922-1358 or email meatinspection@ldaf.la.gov to inform them you intend to apply for a poultry exemption.
You will be put in contact with a Compliance Officer in your area. They will discuss your options with you.
When you are ready, the Compliance Officer will visit your facility to view your progress.
Have any private well water source for your facility tested through the local health authority and obtain a copy of the test results, if applicable.
Obtain a letter of approval from the local health authority for your facility’s sewage/sanitary wastewater system, if applicable.
Choose which poultry exemption you would like to receive.
Once you complete the checklist, you will receive a Letter of Exemption giving you the ability to start producing product
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Register with LDAF or USDA to legally deal in meat or poultry products in or for commerce
You are required by law to register with LDAF or USDA if you deal in meat or poultry products in or for commerce, unless you operate under State or Federal Inspection. This applies to:
Wholesalers of any carcasses or parts of carcasses of any cattle, sheep, poultry, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, whether the product is intended for human consumption or not
Public warehousemen who store carcasses or parts of carcasses of any cattle, sheep, poultry, swine, goats, horses, mules or other equines
Buyers, sellers, and transporters of any dead, dying, disabled or diseased animals or parts of carcasses of such animals (4D Operator)
Brokers
Jobbers
Educational programs where carcasses or parts of carcasses are slaughtered, processed, or both
Any combination of the above
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To file a complaint or inquiry related to meat inspection, contact the LDAF Meat & Poultry Inspection program by phone or email. Please provide as much information as possible to allow us to better assist you with your issue, including you contact information.
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In accordance with federal and state laws, LDAF is prohibited from discrimination in its programs and services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, disability (including blindness), medical condition, marital status, veteran status and political affiliation.
To file a complaint or discrimination, contact the LDAF Meat & Poultry Inspection program main office or write to:
LDAF Meat & Poultry Inspection 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 4003, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Alternately, you may contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture at (866)632-9992 or write to:
USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
USDA And Justice For All poster
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Our policy is to provide access to individuals who wish to access our programs and services regardless of their national origin or limited ability to speak, read, write or understand English. Both TTY-TDD and voice users may initiate calls through the Louisiana Relay Directory by dialing 711 or by contacting them directly at Louisiana Relay .
Individuals speaking Spanish may dial 225-922-1359 to leave a voicemail request and email address.
Las personas que hablan Español pueden llamar al 225-922-1359 para dejar una petición de correo de voz y correo electrónico.
For reasonable accommodation requests, complete the Request for reasonable accommodation form and send to meatinspection@ldaf.la.gov
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