To help improve food security in rural communities and help more British Columbians enjoy B.C. beef, pork, poultry and lamb, the B.C. government is consulting with small abattoirs and other stakeholders for feedback and suggestions on how to improve rural abattoir licensing in B.C.

Current and former holders of Class D- and E-licensed abattoirs will be asked to describe their experiences with the administration, licensing, operations and food safety of their abattoir, and to discuss other ideas that could enhance local slaughter capacity throughout the province. The Ministry of Agriculture will also gather input on the topics from key stakeholders including the BC Association of Abattoirs and the BC Cattlemen’s Association, as well as regional health authorities.

The consultation will be limited to Class D and E licences only, and will not consider provincial A and B licensed, or federally licensed slaughterhouses.

Class D Licence holders are allowed to slaughter up to 11,339.81 kilograms (25,000 pounds) of their own or other people’s animals per year, for direct sales to consumers or to food businesses such as restaurants and meat shops in the region the meat was produced. Class D Licence holders must also operate in one of the 10 regional districts that have been designated as rural remote areas.

Class E Licence holders may slaughter up to 4,535.92 kilograms (10,000 pounds) of their own animals (only) for direct sale to consumers (only) in the area the meat was produced. There are currently 19 Class D Licence Holders and 27 Class E licence holders in B.C.

The consultation is part of a review of the province’s rural slaughter capacity the ministry is undertaking to support B.C. ranchers and livestock producers in rural communities.

Quick Facts:

• Ten regional districts were designated as rural and remote areas due to:
  • The absence of licensed slaughter facilities
  • Low population density
  • Small livestock numbers
  • Transportation barriers (e.g., required marine transportation or seasonal road closures)
• The regional districts are Central Coast, Kitimat-Stikine, Mount Waddington, Northern Rockies, Powell River, Skeena-Queen-Charlotte, Squamish-Lillooet, Stikine, Strathcona (Mainland and Discovery Islands portion only) and Sunshine Coast.

Learn More:

• More information on Class D and E Licences is available at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/food-safety/meat-inspection-licensing/class-d-e-licences
• More information on the designated areas is available at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/food-safety/meat-inspection-licensing/designated-areas