District of Clearwater council feels there should be more livestock slaughtering options available for North Thompson farmers.
During their March 1 meeting, town councillors voted to ratify a “Meat to Table” resolution to be taken to the upcoming Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) convention.
If approved there, the resolution would then go to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention for provincial support.
The resolution urges the provincial government to change the policy on allowing unlimited Class E licenses (slaughter own animals for direct sale to consumer within the regional district only) and a minimum number of Class D licenses (slaughter own and other people’s animals for retail and direct sales within the regional district only) for livestock producers within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
The councillors noted that there is only one Class A government regulated beef slaughtering facility to meet the butchering needs of livestock farmers in the North Thompson Valley.
The resolution would increase local food security as well as the sustainability and capacity of local livestock producers by allowing local farmers the ability to slaughter onsite and sell to local farmers markets, the council members felt.
The SILGA convention will be held in Kelowna, April 19 – 22, while the UBCM gathering will be in Victoria, Sept. 26 – 30.
