The B.C. government's new meat inspection system reinforces the province's reputation for safe and wholesome meat by continuing the current safeguards and inspection system in provincially licensed Class A and B abattoirs.

The new system follows extensive consultation with ranchers, abattoir operators, local governments and small-scale ranchers with licences to sell their meat at the farmgate. Abattoirs will continue to require the presence of a trained government meat inspector to inspect each animal (livestock) or flock (poultry) beforehand and each carcass after slaughter.

The new system will also:

• Require all Class A and B plants to develop and maintain comprehensive written food safety procedures for maintaining meat safety, facility hygiene and animal health and welfare.

• Include the development of an audit program of all Class A and B abattoirs.

• Train inspectors to provincial standards, including enhanced knowledge and skills in humane livestock handling and humane slaughter.

• Maintain third party government inspection and the use of a government stamp on inspected products.

• Maintain the graduated enforcement approach to support the integrity of the inspection system.

The new system will be fully implemented by Jan. 1, 2014, and will replace the B.C. government's arrangement with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to inspect provincially licensed Class A and B abattoirs, which has been in place since 1988. The current service agreement ends Dec. 31, 2013. The CFIA will continue to inspect the 11 federally registered abattoirs in B.C.

The Ministry of Agriculture is also in discussion with the retail sector in B.C. to expand the domestic market for meat processed in a provincially licensed Class A or B Abattoirs as well as working with the BC Association of Cattle Feeders to further develop and promote their "Certified B.C. Beef" brand.

The B.C. government is also beginning a two-year pilot project in the Regional District of North Okanagan for up to five Class E Licence operations. These pilot licences will be available to operators within a two hour travel distance of a provincially licensed abattoir.

Current Class E Licence holders are small farms located in areas where there is no provincially licensed abattoir to fill the consumer demand for locally produced meat. Class E Licence holders are permitted to sell restricted amounts of meat at their farm gate and temporary food markets such as a farmers market.

In addition to the new meat inspection system, the B.C. government also announced that a mobile abattoir will be stationed in 100 Mile House to help address the need for safe and wholesome local meat, providing the community can meet specific criteria. Upon the full implementation of the mobile abattoir in 100 Mile House, other B.C. communities demonstrating a similar need will be able to apply for a mobile abattoir to be based in their community, subject to meeting the same criteria.

Quotes:

B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick -

"Our new provincial meat inspection system strikes an important balance, and we took the time to do it right. The new system will protect public health, animal welfare, and expand economic opportunities for farmers, processors, and communities."

Provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall -

"The safety of meat and food products is top-of-mind for all of us, and this updated provincial meat inspection system will help to maintain and enhance the safety of British Columbia's local meat supply."

BC Cattlemen's Association general manager Kevin Boon -

"Our goal as ranchers is to always deliver a safe product to our consumers. With input from industry, we believe the provincial government has done a very good job of developing a system that will satisfy the needs of consumers, producers and processors alike."

BC Association of Abattoirs president Mike Noullett -

"The BC Association of Abattoirs applauds the B.C. government in working with industry to develop a fully funded provincial inspection system for Class A and B Abattoirs."

B.C. Food Processors Association CEO Nico Human -

"The BCFPA welcomes the minister's announcement on the new meat inspection system. Food safety is paramount to the industry. Enforcement is key to make the system work. The processing industry is pleased to see the government's initiative on this matter."

Southern Plus Feedlot owner Bill Freding -

"We are proud to be the fourth generation of knowledge and experience in raising cattle in the Okanagan. With this new inspection system, we are sending a strong message that our B.C. beef will continue to be processed in a safe manner while looking for the opportunity to increase the market for B.C. meat."

Regional District of North Okanagan board of directors chair Patrick Nicol -

"This pilot project will be a great opportunity for small farming families who are the lifeblood of our North Okanagan regional district. These producers will be ready to fill the demand for locally produced meat while maintaining the safety of these B.C. products."

Okanagan IGA store owner Kevin Kothlow -

"As a local store owner, I am always looking for B.C. products to meet consumer demand. The new system being introduced today gives me confidence that we will be able to provide our customers with safe, wholesome, locally raised meat products."

Learn More:

B.C.'s meat inspection system: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/polleg/Meat/MeatInsp.html

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (cell)

BACKGROUNDER

The provincial meat inspection system achieves seven objectives:

• Maintain or enhance meat safety.

• Maintain or enhance animal health and welfare.

• Maintain or improve public confidence in the safety of B.C. meat products.

• Support the financial viability of abattoir operators.

• Support the financial viability of small-scale producers, family farms and ranches.

• Increase the market for B.C. meat.

• Deliver a sustainable, cost-effective meat inspection system for industry and for government.

The Ministry of Agriculture has budgeted $6.7 million this year to develop and operate the new system and $5.6 million annually for operating costs in subsequent years. B.C.'s licensing system includes 60 Class A and B facilities, which have no volume or sales restrictions within the province, and 92 Class D and E licences, which allow on-farm slaughter with volume and sales restrictions in the regional district in which the licence was issued. Class D licences are only allowed in designated areas, are allowed to slaughter their own or other people's animals, and sell into retail outlets in the regional district where the meat was produced. Class E licences are allowed to slaughter their own animals and sell to consumers only at farm gate and temporary food markets.

Regional District of North Okanagan Class E pilot project

The development of the code of practice and expanded training will begin immediately with the intent of having the pilot project licences issued by fall. The pilot projects will include the following enhancements for food safety and slaughter requirements, and will become a condition for each current Class D and E Licence holder who wishes to renew their licence.

A new code of practice

The code of practice will be designed specifically for Class D and E Licence holders and will be jointly developed by government and industry to assist each licensee to achieve and maintain food safety, animal welfare and slaughter standards. The code of practice will be a reference manual to assist with the provision of safe and wholesome meat products to consumers. The manual will be used in conjunction with legislation and other resources, just as Class A and B abattoirs use their code of practice.

The expansion of mandatory training

A new module that clearly outlines humane slaughter practices applicable to on-farm slaughter will be added to the existing mandatory training on critical food safety points. The food safety training was designed exclusively for livestock and poultry producers applying for a Class D or E licence, and those interested in providing slaughter services to Class D and E licence holders.

The Ministry of Agriculture will also be adjusting the calculation method that applicants for Class E Licences outside of the pilot program use to estimate travel times to the nearest provincially licensed Class A or B Abattoir to better reflect a loaded truck travelling in rural British Columbia in all possible weather conditions. As a condition of Class E Licences, applicants must demonstrate that there are no provincially licensed Class A or B Abattoirs within a two-hour area.

The B.C. government will also be working with health authorities to improve record keeping and monitoring at butcher shops and cut-and-wraps to ensure all slaughter and processing regulations are being met.

Mobile Abattoirs

A mobile abattoir will be stationed in 100 Mile House by fall, providing the community can meet specific criteria. Upon the full implementation of the mobile abattoir in 100 Mile House, other B.C. communities demonstrating a similar need will be able to apply for a mobile abattoir to be based in their community, subject to meeting the same criteria. Ministry staff will work with 100 Mile House and other interested communities throughout the process using the following criteria:

• An identified lack of slaughter capacity for one or more species.

• Demonstrated community support for a mobile abattoir to ensure long-term viability.

• A committed operator to manage and maintain the abattoir to provincial standards.

• A commitment to fund a docking station(s) to provincial licensing requirements.

• A commitment to have the mobile facility fully operational within a year of approval.

Media Contact:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (cell)