ETNA, Maine - Maine regulators are attempting to address a meat processing bottleneck in the food supply chain by adding three new processors to the state's food system. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said it authorized 90-day grants of inspection to custom slaughter operations in Crystal, Etna and Alexander.
The department says the facilities in Crystal and Alexander will be the first inspected livestock slaughterhouses in Aroostook and Washington counties.
Agriculture commissioner Amanda Beal said the change "eases the process and allows more locally raised meat to reach Maine people."