Slaughterhouse disinterest has committee on hold

CAMDEN, Del. — A Delaware Farm Bureau task force formed in 2021 to tackle the pressing need for expanded slaughterhouse capacity hasn’t convened in more than a year, organizers said last week, shedding light on the ongoing hurdles hindering the development of new processing facilities for regional livestock owners.
The committee of more than 30 farmers was organized to investigate options to expand the Delmarva peninsula’s slaughterhouse capacity as regional farmers struggle with a swelling demand for locally raised meat and a shortage of processors.
The group stopped meeting, however, due to a lack of willingness to invest in processing infrastructure, for either a new slaughterhouse or an expansion of an existing facility, said Richard Wilkins, the Farm Bureau’s former president.
“If there’s nobody willing to step up and make the investment to build a slaughter plant, there’s not much that the Farm Bureau or a committee could do,” he said.
When the committee was formed, the bureau hoped it would produce a series of recommendations for local governments or individuals in the region who wanted to start their own processing facilities.
Issues related to the region’s shortage of processors, including long waiting lists and hours-long travel for appointments, have been a common gripe among farmers for decades. Different parties have tried expanding the region’s capacity with limited success. The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission helped a group of Amish farmers open a new slaughterhouse in St. Mary’s County that received USDA certification in 2021.
The facility produces half- and quarter-carcasses that may require additional processing elsewhere.
The Frederick County government in Maryland is actively studying the feasibility of establishing a new facility catering to value-added agricultural producers. The proposed facility may include expanded meat processing options for farmers interested in producing charcuterie, sausages, and other items for the local retail market. The county has conducted multiple community meetings and anticipates a report for the county executive with recommendations by the end of the year, a county spokesperson said.
Efforts in Delaware continue, however, said Don Clifton, the Farm Bureau’s executive director. The Farm Bureau is part of ongoing conversations with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the USDA and other stakeholders to open funding for new slaughterhouse proposals. He said it was premature to discuss specifics.
“The ball has not been dropped. The conservation is ongoing and we hope to see some results in the coming months,” he said.