The BC government plans to implement a new meat inspection system in January. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick announced the details in Vernon, saying federal abattoir inspectors, will be replaced with provincial inspectors at an annual cost of 5.6 million dollars. "After we heard through our consultation, and with what happened in Alberta which impacted us as well with the recall, we made a decision that we're going to go with a full inspection system." Letnick says the changes have the support of a wide range of agencies including the BC Cattlemen's Association, BC Food Processors and the provincial health officer. 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 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.
The new system will also:
* Require all Class A and B plants to develop and maintain comprehensive written food safety procedures for maintaining meatsafety, 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.
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http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2013AGRI0012-000325.htm
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.”
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