FREEPORT

Freeport won’t adopt a food sovereignty ordinance until the Maine Legislature addresses issues in state law that could put agriculture at risk.

Under a new state law, municipalities can permit local farmers to sell products grown or processed in town directly to consumers without complying with more stringent state and federal food safety regulations. The law also exempts sellers from state and federal licensing and inspection.

Maine adopted food sovereignty legislation in June, but Republican Gov. Paul LePage has called for amendments in response to a July letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The letter warned that if provisions concerning the sale of livestock and poultry are not struck from the law, state licensed slaughterhouses and facilities may be shut down.

USDA is concerned the law, as written, would contravene federal food safety laws, and result in the termination of the state program.

Freeport Town Manager Peter Joseph said Monday the town will wait to see what the Legislature does with the bill before crafting a local ordinance.

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry spokesman John Bott said Tuesday it is likely a special legislative session will occur in the last week in October to discuss amending the law.

If language is not amended to comply with federal regulations, Bott said the implications could be devastating to Maine agriculture. State licensed slaughterhouses would not be able to sell meat without a federal inspection, farmers would be forced to send animals out of state for slaughter and the Maine department will be shut out of the process.

“We want farmers to be successful — with a federal regime involved, it will be a whole different story,” Bott said, referring to costly red tape and equipment upgrades as potential new hurdles.

“Although I appreciate the intent of this bill, it must be amended to ensure compliance with federal law,” LePage said in a letter to legislative leaders. “We will not be able to continue growing this local food sector of the Maine rural economy by subjecting more farms and businesses to inspection and regulation in Washington.”

Twenty Maine communities have adopted ordinances similar to the one proposed in Freeport, according to the Maine Farmers’ Market Association.

The proposed ordinance would also bring social activities, such as bake sales and bean suppers, into regulatory compliance. Those functions technically violate food safety laws as food is often prepared in private, household kitchens that aren’t inspected or licensed, although enforcement agencies have looked the other way for generations.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com