On-Farm Home Processing License - Revenue Limit - Prohibition
The bill will effectively eliminate the $40,000 limit on sales of food processed under an on-farm home processing license. By repealing this cap, the bill is expected to enhance opportunities for local farmers, enabling them to earn more from their processed food products. This change could stimulate local economies by allowing farmers to engage more actively in the market and could result in greater variety and availability of locally processed food for consumers.
House Bill 989 aims to deregulate the revenue limitations imposed on individuals holding an on-farm home processing license in Maryland. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from enforcing a cap on the revenue generated by such license holders from the sale of food processed in their home kitchens. This legislative change is designed to encourage farmers to diversify their income sources through small-scale food production and sales directly from their farms.
One notable point of contention surrounding HB 989 involves the potential health and safety implications of increased food sales from home processing. Critics may voice concerns regarding the adequacy of food safety standards and oversight when more food is being produced and sold from private home kitchens. Proponents of the bill, however, argue that many small-scale producers already adhere to high safety standards and that the existing regulations can be restrictive, stifling the growth of small agricultural enterprises.