October 1, 2007

Canadian meat producers in a dilemma over inspections

A food safety regulation could possibly shut down meat producers with small operations in British Columbia by the end of the month.  

Under the BC Meat Inspection Regulation, a Canada Food Inspection Agency inspector must be present to inspect animals before and after slaughter.

The inspector must also supervise the kill to make sure it is carried out in a humane fashion meets meat inspection regulations.

Animal slaughter would have to be carries out in licensed facilities meeting strict sanitation requirements.

Small farmers in the province however, feel they are being shut out as they slaughter all their animals and sell them from the farm. This is especially so for organic farmers.

Some areas in the province do not have meat facilities and thus farmers could not find facilities for slaughter.