MERRITT – BC meat producers are frustrated that the province is spending more time studying how to help them than getting on with acting on its findings. The BC Ministry of Agriculture released an intentions paper September 14 aimed at modernizing rural slaughter practices, but Julia Smith of the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association says the …
Nova Woodbury
Abattoir association calls for action
The provincial election call last week has increased uncertainties for BC abattoir operators, who have seen demand for local meats surge versus last year as a result of COVID-19. An extension of the feedback window on a rural slaughter modernization intentions paper the province released a week before the election call makes sense to Nova …
Province launches meat consultation
The BC Ministry of Agriculture is finally beginning to update slaughter practices. Comments are being accepted on a rural slaughter modernization intentions paper published September 14. The paper proposes increasing the standards of inspection for class D and E facilities to more closely align their uninspected slaughter practices with those of inspected class A & …
Province funds tissue disposal
The province is providing $500,000 to help BC abattoirs deal with waste animal tissue following slaughter. “This is great news,” says Nova Woodbury, executive director of the BC Association of Abattoirs, one of a number of industry representatives who advised the province on the funding. “Animal hide prices are low, options for waste disposal are …
Under one roof
VICTORIA – The BC Ministry of Agriculture is taking over meat inspection in the province on December 1, consolidating oversight of the sector. “Effective December 1, 2020, all slaughter activity licensed under the Meat Inspection Regulation for class A, B, D, and E meat slaughter licenses will now be regulated under the Ministry of Agriculture,” …