COVID-19 guidance regarding slaughter and/or processing facilities

On March 18, 2020, we received a question regarding what impact the COVID-19 response has on slaughtering and/or processing facilities across the state. Meat and poultry slaughtering and/or processing facilities fall under the definition of businesses exempt from the executive order prohibiting mass gatherings, because they are considered in the category of “manufacturing, processing, distribution, and production facilities."

All federal and state slaughtering and processing facilities are proceeding as usual. These facilities always implement an exceedingly high standard of biosecurity practices, and that will continue during this time. In fully-inspected slaughtering and processing facilities, inspectors are present every day as a regular practice, following federal and state statutes. These businesses are critical in the continuity of the food supply chain, and will continue at full operational status, with a focus on the health and safety of their employees while they provide a safe food supply to the state and nation.


Contact Information

Kansas Department of Agriculture

1320 Research Park Dr.
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: 785-564-6776
Fax: 785-564-6779

Jeremy Schooler, Program Manager


STATEMENT REGARDING COVID-19

KDA offices are open to the public, with the following practices in place to protect the health of staff and visitors. 

  • All staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings in public areas of the building.
  • Social distancing should be maintained while in the building.
  • Many meetings continue to be held as online meetings or conference calls.

Meat and Poultry Inspection Program

The Kansas Meat and Poultry Inspection Program is a cooperative state-federal program. It is responsible for administering the Kansas Meat and Poultry Inspection Act that governs the wholesomeness, proper labeling and deceptive advertising of meat and poultry products. Our basic purpose is to provide for the inspection, labeling and disposition of animals, poultry, carcasses, and meat and poultry products that are to be offered for sale through commercial outlets for human consumption. The program inspects and registers commercial and custom slaughter facilities and meat and poultry processing facilities located in the state of Kansas. Federal law requires state inspection standards be “equal to” those of federally inspected operations and state inspected products cannot be sold outside of Kansas. USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service periodically verifies that our program is "equal to" the federal meat and poultry inspection program.

Requirements differ depending on the type and extent of meat slaughtering/processing and sales of products involved. Different types of meat businesses include custom exempt, retail exempt, inspected slaughtering, inspected processing facilities, or combinations of these. Consumers utilizing a meat processing facility should be aware of the differences between the types of facilities in order to make an informed decision when butchering their home grown livestock.

The Kansas
Inspection Legend
Application of the inspection legend means the operation has complied with the program's regulatory requirements. Only healthy carcasses and associated meat products sold within the state may be branded with a Kansas Department of Agriculture inspection legend.




The meat and poultry program is committed to ensuring the civil rights of all customers and employees. For more information, see the Non-Discrimination Statement.

USDA "And Justice for All" Nondiscrimination and Civil Rights Complaint Filing Procedures Poster

USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form

Accessibility services are available at the Kansas Relay Center.

Program information and materials are available, free of charge, in alternative formats and languages other than English. For more information, please contact the Program Manager.