WHEREAS the Provinces Meat Inspection Regulations are having an adverse effect on the local economy of rural communities due to the hardship they impose on small scale producers and processors; AND WHEREAS the regulations are also negatively impacting local food security and sustainability due to the distances local producers are required to transport livestock, the stress it places on the animals, and the additional greenhouse gas emissions that result: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM petition the Province to tailor the Meat Inspection Regulations to allow local, andor mobile small-scale abattoir facilities to operate under less stringent facility regulations without lowering health and safety standards, without the requirements for a meat inspector on site when slaughtering, and that any meat processed in such a manner will be allowed to be sold locally to the public.
Ministry of Health Services The BC Meat Inspection Regulation enables the construction and licensing of small-scale slaughter facilities specifically designed for low production volumes and small, communities. It also permits the licensing of mobile slaughter facilities. The BC Government has implemented a graduated licensing scheme for provincial abattoirs that includes varied construction and inspection requirements tailored to support different kinds of livestock producers and different markets, while maintaining strong health and safety standards. Class A and B facilities have construction and meat inspection requirements that support the commercial viability of BC meat products. Sales from these facilities have no volume restrictions and can be sold anywhere within B.C., thus supporting the resiliency and growth of BCs meat industry. Class D and E licenses introduced in April 2010, provide livestock producers in remote areas the opportunity to slaughter restricted numbers of livestock for local sales without constructing full scale facilities. These licenses support the affordability and availability of locally sourced meat in rural areas, while helping to increase livestock production and local food security.