Bill Name: PRIME Act

Bill Number: HR-4700

Bill Author(s): Representative Thomas Massie

Legislative Session / Year: 2025

State: Federal

AVFCA Position: Support

Bill Synopsis: This bill would amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to create a specific exemption from federal inspection requirements for animals slaughtered and carcasses prepared at custom slaughter facilities, provided those operations comply with the local state laws of their location. Under the PRIME Act, animal slaughter and preparation at facilities would not be subject to federal inspection mandates when performed under state law.

The exemption is limited to products destined exclusively for distribution within the same State, and sold solely to households, consumers or in-state establishments that either prepare meals directly for consumers (restaurants, hotels, boarding houses) or sell meat directly to consumers (grocery stores), in turn lowering regulatory barriers and cost burdens that often prevent small, local processors and producers from expanding.

The PRIME Act also strengthens local food systems and consumer choice by allowing more meat to be processed and sold within a state, including heritage breeds, pasture‑raised, or specialty products not typically handled by large, federally inspected plants.