An End to Alaska Meat and Dairy????

Salon.com has an eye-opening article on the dramatic effects of new USDA testing rules on small meat processors. In short, the costs of the testing will effectively put many local meat processors out of business. Their concern is identical to what is happening with the dairy industry here in Alaska – regulations so complex and costly that small producers cannot afford to continue operation. Personally, I have thrown out my own long-term plans to begin cheese production on my farm because of the costs to meet DEC and USDA requirements. It now appears that our local slaughterhouses could be affected -- ultimately forcing them out of business as meeting USDA requirements becomes more expensive than raising the product itself. The result of all this? A virtual guarantee that Alaska’s food supply will come from factories out of state and not your local farm.