Whereas consumers are increasingly interested in sourcing locally and ethically produced meat products; And whereas current slaughter and meat processing regulations create a barrier for smaller farming operations to fulfill this consumer demand: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to review meat processing regulations in order to facilitate expansion of safe, local, slaughter and meat processing.
Ministry of Agriculture Government appreciates the concerns comments and feedback about the challenges facing small producers. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the Public Health Act and the Food Safety Act which regulate food establishments, including the areas of slaughter establishments that process meat. The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for the Food Safety Act only as it relates to these establishments for the slaughter of animals for food purposes. The Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fish and Food SSCAFF was established on April 24, 2018 and launched a province-wide public consultation on meat production, including slaughter and meat processing regulations and their impact on smaller farming operations. In late September 2018, SSCAFF released their report which had 21 recommendations for government. Since the report came out, Ministry staff have been working to address many of the recommendations and to ensure appropriate consideration of the work by the Committee.